In a symbolic move of solidarity with the Italian people hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the Greek Foreign Ministry raised the Italian flag at the central building in Athens.
Present at the ceremony on Friday morning was Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Italian Ambassador to Greece Efisio Luigi Marras and the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas.
Addressing the attendees, Dendias started and concluded his speech in Italian.
“Italian friends,” he said, “our history, our common past and the road we have made together bring us here today, together again. Side by side for another battle, victorious as always.”
“In this dramatic moment, Greece is at your side. We are with you. United we will rise,” Dendias concluded.
Ambassador Marras held his speech in Greek saying, among others, that “we will not forget this important symbolic solidarity gesture that sees our flags united. A gesture that expresses mourning for the many deceased, but also sympathy for the tragedy that their relatives live. A gesture of courage to those who are between life and death. And to all those who fight to save them.”
Thanking the Foreign minister and Greece, Marras said that “it is comforting for feel you so close to us” and urged the Greek people to follow the instructions of the authorities.
The Greek Parliament will also hoist the Italian flag and will be illuminated for three night in the national colors green, white and red.
According to official data, Italy counts almost 14,000 deaths and over 115,000 confirmed cases.
