ATHENS — "We bow with respect to the memory of those who fought for freedom, with the hope that we will never see again in our homeland, in the country that gave birth to democracy, those who are nostalgic for ideologies that steeped the world in blood, or those who express and support nazism and fascism," President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Monday, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary since the liberation of Athens from Nazi occupation troops.

As the President stressed: "On this day, 76 years ago, Athens was liberated from the Nazi yoke. It was a day of national exaltation, of collective joy and returning hope. A day that justified the struggle and the sacrifices of the Greek people during the years of the German Occupation."

Earlier on Monday, Sakellaropoulou attended the raising of the flag on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis and then laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, as part of the anniversary celebration.