Freedom is not for free
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- Date: 17.11.2016
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Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day was commemorated by Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš at the Executed and Tortured Communist Era Political Prisoners' Memorial in Bratislava's Vrakuňa Cemetery.
He emphasised that the message of the November days needs to be remembered continually: “There was a time not so long ago when democracy and freedom of expression were not a matter of course in our country. Also for this reason in future I would be glad to see more young people and schoolchildren attending such commemorations as this one, so they come to realise that democracy and freedom are not for free, nor are they guaranteed automatically. They are a fragile issue and should be approached accordingly.” He went on to remind that democracy and freedom are not to be taken for granted in the world either.
Another commemoration ceremony was organised at the Freedom Gate in Devín, Bratislava. In attendance were, among other guests, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, Marián Saloň, and the Chairman of the Committee on Defence and Security of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Anton Hrnko.
Employees of the SVK Ministry of Defence and members of the SVK Armed Forces were united in remembrance of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day during a ceremony at the SVK MOD Club on 16 Nov. At the beginning of the ceremony the Order of the Slovak President on Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day was read out in front of the gathered audience.
In his speech, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš recalled the November 1989 events. “Freedom turned into reality, paving the way in slow steps towards long-desired democracy,” he said, while underscoring the fact that abidance by democratic principles and security have been inherently interconnected.
The head of the Slovak MOD also pointed to the risks and threats that jeopardise democracy in the world and at home. “Indeed, if things were different from what they are, today we would not have nearly 260 uniformed warriors deployed on operations and missions abroad, protecting freedom and peace in other countries that depend on help from the international community,” noted Minister of Defence Gajdoš.
He emphasised that the message of the November days needs to be remembered continually: “There was a time not so long ago when democracy and freedom of expression were not a matter of course in our country. Also for this reason in future I would be glad to see more young people and schoolchildren attending such commemorations as this one, so they come to realise that democracy and freedom are not for free, nor are they guaranteed automatically. They are a fragile issue and should be approached accordingly.” He went on to remind that democracy and freedom are not to be taken for granted in the world either.
Another commemoration ceremony was organised at the Freedom Gate in Devín, Bratislava. In attendance were, among other guests, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, Marián Saloň, and the Chairman of the Committee on Defence and Security of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Anton Hrnko.
Employees of the SVK Ministry of Defence and members of the SVK Armed Forces were united in remembrance of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day during a ceremony at the SVK MOD Club on 16 Nov. At the beginning of the ceremony the Order of the Slovak President on Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day was read out in front of the gathered audience.
In his speech, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš recalled the November 1989 events. “Freedom turned into reality, paving the way in slow steps towards long-desired democracy,” he said, while underscoring the fact that abidance by democratic principles and security have been inherently interconnected.
The head of the Slovak MOD also pointed to the risks and threats that jeopardise democracy in the world and at home. “Indeed, if things were different from what they are, today we would not have nearly 260 uniformed warriors deployed on operations and missions abroad, protecting freedom and peace in other countries that depend on help from the international community,” noted Minister of Defence Gajdoš.
