The flags of Greece and the European Union were raised at the Acropolis on Sunday morning, in celebration of "Europe Day 2021".
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner Promoting our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas.
Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe.
Greece joined the European block in 1981, completing 40 years of membership in 2021.
"For Greece, the EU is an area of prosperity and security," she said. "We participate in its values and share European life and culture. We are proud of what we have achieved with our European fellow-citizens, and have high expectations for the future. In our era's challenges - the pandemic, economy and climate change - Europe is obligated to respond with unity and solidarity," Sakellaropoulou said.
🇬🇷 Ιστορική στιγμή 🇪🇺
Η Σημαία της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης κυματίζει και η «Ωδή στη χαρά» ανακρούεται στη Σκεπή του Ευρωπαϊκού πολιτισμού... στην Ακρόπολη των Αθηνών @PresidencyGR @MargSchinas #EuropeDay #40ΕλλαδαΕΕ pic.twitter.com/KfK98SOidm
— Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή 🇪🇺 (@EEAthina) May 9, 2021
"Europe Day today at the sacred rock of the Acropolis. Greek and European flags together for the first time at the monument of global culture. A unique, unprecedented moment. Greece and Europe together, always consistent before history's commanding calls," Schinas tweeted.
On his part, Greece's Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias tweeted: "United Europe is a unique example of a voluntary union of states in world history. But as not even a century has gone by since we began this long journey, the path to a truly United Europe will take time."
He said that there must be no lack of political will. "Large historic projects are built over a long time horizon," he said.
1981-2021: The European Commission releases celebratory video on the 40th anniversary of Greece’s accession to the EU
