Konstantinos Stefanopoulos, President of Greece

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July 10, 1996

Presidential Decree No. 162 (1)

Athens, July 10, 1996

Organizing of manifestations for the memorial day of the genocide of the Armenians by Turkey

The President of the Hellenic Republic

Taking under consideration:

  1. The provision of article 2 of Law 2397/1996 (A'80) "April 24th is established as memorial day of the genocide of the Armenians by Turkey".


  2. The provision of article 27 of law 2081/1992 (A'154).


  3. The dating from 3.7.1996 opinions of the National Council of the Orthodox Armenians Diocese in Greece and the Armenian National Committee of Greece.


  4. The fact that from the provisions of this decree no encumbrance occurs to the National Budget.


  5. The 474/1996 and 192/1997 consultative responses of the State Council.


  6. The DIDI44.1/21566/10.10.1996 Joint Decision of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization (B'932), upon recommendation of the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and decentralization, we decide:

Article 1
April 24th is established as the memorial day of the genocide of the Armenians by Turkey (article 1 of Law 2397/1996 A'80).

Article 2
The memorial manifestations include, holding of a memorial service at the site of the monument of the Armenian Genocide at Chrisostomou Smirnis square at the Municipality of Nea Smirni, at the Armenian Orthodox Church of Panagia in Xanthi, speeches and laying of wreaths by the General Secretary of the District and by representatives of the local self-government and the Armenian Community.

Article 3
The program of the memorial manifestations is formed by decision of the local prefect, in collaboration with the National Council of the Orthodox Armenians Diocese in Greece.

We confide the publication and the execution of the present decree to the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization.

Konstantinos Stefanopoulos
The President of the Republic

L. Papadimas
The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization