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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece seeks peace but will not tolerate threats or coercion, as he highlighted the country’s military modernization program during celebrations marking the October 28 national anniversary.

Speaking after the military parade in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, Mitsotakis stressed that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted, particularly during periods of international instability. He recalled the sacrifices of the generation that resisted fascism and Nazism during World War II, describing its legacy as a responsibility that must be honored through action rather than words.

“The legacy they left us is a compass of responsibility, a responsibility we fulfill through actions, not words,” he said.

Mitsotakis highlights Greece’s military modernization

The prime minister said the Greek armed forces are currently implementing the largest military procurement program in their history.

He pointed to the advanced weapons systems displayed during the parade, arguing that they strengthen Greece’s ability to deter potential threats to its sovereignty and sovereign rights.

Mitsotakis said the equipment demonstrated the country’s capacity to maintain a strong deterrent posture against those who might seek to challenge its territorial sovereignty or sovereign rights.

“I have said this many times, and I repeat it: Greece is a force for peace, one that neither coerces nor is coerced, neither threatens nor accepts threats,” he said.

Defense spending depends on economic stability

Mitsotakis also emphasized the financial cost of military modernization, noting that the weapons systems on display were funded by the sacrifices of the Greek people.

He linked the country’s defense capabilities to its broader economic performance, arguing that prosperity and financial stability are essential to sustaining a credible deterrent.

“Without a prosperous economy, without economic stability, no country can project strong deterrent power,” he said.

The prime minister concluded by extending his wishes to Greeks on the October 28 national holiday, which commemorates the country’s refusal of an ultimatum from Fascist Italy in 1940.