Eu Day Light

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Loverdos, in a message published on October 27, 2026, commemorated the ultimatum issued to Greece by Italian leader Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940, and the country's response of "No."

Loverdos said the response represented the Greek people's determination to defend their freedom and dignity. In his message, he noted that the war left its mark not only on the battlefield but also on the lives of women who transported supplies to the front under wartime conditions and families who endured loss and separation.

Loverdos noted that Greeks living outside Greece also supported the war effort in 1940 in various ways. Some provided financial assistance, others volunteered, and some offered to return to Greece to serve their country.

Stating that Greek identity was not limited to the country's geographical borders, Loverdos said language, history, culture and shared memory were kept alive through Greek communities abroad. He emphasized that children should learn not only what happened in 1940 but also why those events remain significant.

Referring to ongoing wars as well as economic and energy crises, Loverdos said the historical legacy of October 28 served as a reminder that freedom, dignity and commitment to values were not preserved automatically. He stressed that protecting these values required vigilance, responsibility and unity.

Loverdos concluded his message by extending National Day greetings to all Greeks, including those living abroad, and calling for the memory of October 28 to be passed on to future generations.