The President of the Republic honoured the celebratory events for the 162nd anniversary in Corfu, sending a message of national unity, security and lasting progress.
The importance of the Unification of the Ionian Islands with the national body, 162 years ago, and the message of an even greater effort for the prosperity and security of Greece, the President of the RepublicKonstantinos Tasoulas from Corfu, where he honoured with his presence the anniversary events for the 162nd anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands.
“The Union of the Ionian Islands strengthens the geopolitical pedestal of the Greek state, honours the struggles of the Ionian people, and brings back to the memory of all of us our duty today, inspired by those struggles, to give even greater effort for the progress of the Ionian Islands, but also for the prosperity and security of Greece, from any threat”, he stressed.
Mr. Tassoulas immediately after the parade paid tribute to the 1st Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias, laying a wreath at his statue and made the following statement. The Union of Corfu and the Ionian Islands in general into the national body, took place when a clear national ideology was the Great Idea, which dominated the political life of the country for many decades, a national ideology based on firm ethnic and historical titles.
On May 21, 1864, Commissioner Henry Storkes surrendered the Ionian Islands to Greece’s envoy Thrasybulos Zaimis. The British flag is lowered to their fortresses and the Greek flag is raised. The period of British protection had ended.
Just two months later, the elected proxies of the Ionian Islands are admitted as members in a solemn sitting of the Greek National Assembly, the Greek Parliament.
The Union of the Ionian Islands, strengthens the geopolitical pedestal of the Greek state, honors the struggles of the Ionian people, and brings back to the memory of all of us our duty today, inspired by those struggles, to give even more effort for the prosperity of the Ionian Islands, but also for the prosperity and security of Greece from every threat and every challenge. Happy Birthday“.
Earlier, the official praise service was held at the Holy Church of St. Spyridon, where Metropolitan Nektarios during his greeting, made reference to the chronology of the Union, spoke about the challenges of today, paid tribute to the President of the Republic and presented him, as a maximum honor, the Grand Cross of St. Spyridon, as well as an icon of the patron saint of Corfu.
Mr. Tasoulas thanked the Metropolitan and pointed out that this gesture gives him “the measure of his responsibilities and duties, with which he has to contend every day.” “It is an honor and protection,” he noted, “which will accompany me in my duty, in my tasks and I am sure that with the help of the Saint, things will turn out as they should.”
