Despite difficulties, Greece is moving away from being a country of low expectations to be able to act where Hellenism needs it most, “something we have recently proven with our direct support to Cyprus,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

He was speaking at the Garden of Heroes in Messolonghi to mark the 200th anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi (April 10, 1826), which marked a pivotal moment in the Greek War of Independence.

Two hundred years later, the Exodus continues to call us to national self-awareness, even more so when nowadays the threats are many and peace in our neighborhood is not a given at all, he added.

“While the challenges may be different, many of the demands remain the same, starting with the unity of our people and the shielding of national dignity and self-confidence,” he said.

“Today we are a sovereign state with significant European and international displacement, with impregnable borders and with powerful Armed Forces”.

This upgraded position, he added, “allowed us to offer direct support to Cyprus against the dangers of the conflict in Iran, remaining a pillar of stability in a world of instability and a country on a growth trajectory in the midst of an uncertain international environment.”

Days after an Iranian drone hit the Akrotiri base in Cyprus, Greece was the first European country to respond and sent in two frigates. These were later joined by six Greek military planes stationed at the air base in Paphos, although the two frigates have since been replaced with smaller ones.