ATHENS, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Greek President Karolos Papoulias said on Sunday he was confident that his debt-ridden country will overcome the current economic crisis which threatens it with chaotic default.
"I am confident that despite current difficulties, Greek people will exit the crisis, as we have beat crises throughout our history," said Papoulias.
Papoulias made the speech at the end of the annual military parade in the northern city of Thessaloniki to mark Greek entry into the second world war and celebrated the 100th anniversary of its independence from Ottoman rule.
He stressed that some European countries seemed to have forgot the contributions that Greece had made in the past, referring to Greece's international lenders who press for more harsh austerity to tackle the crisis.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras also sent a message on Sunday, calling for unity.
"In a few years, Greece will excel, as long as we remain united," he said, as the parades nationwide were held amid strict security measures for fear of anti-austerity extreme protests.
No major incidents have been reported, as thousands of police forces were deployed onto the street to avoid disruptions.
In Athens, students paraded in front of the parliament building, children and war veterans waved Greek flags, and Left parties staged a protest against anti-austerity measures in nearby central squares.
Greece has been kept afloat since 2010 with international rescue loans under bailout agreements with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in exchange of painful austerity and reform measures which have fuelled unemployment, recession and protests.
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