Meeting and Resolution of the Athens Municipal Council regarding the impending reunification of the Dodecanese with the Greek State.
These documents concern a significant aspect of Greek history following the end of World War II.
- The first document presents the ceremonial session of the Athens Municipal Council (July 4, 1946), which took place a few days after the initial Paris decision (June 1946) by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the victorious Great Powers regarding the integration of the Dodecanese into Greece. Specifically, in his introductory proposal, the President of the Municipal Council, Makris, moves to address a warm greeting to the martyred people of the Dodecanese on the occasion of their integration into Mother Greece. The celebratory address to the council was delivered by Municipal Councilor Nikolopoulos. In his speech, he conveys the greetings of the Athenian people to the free Dodecanesian Greeks, making reference to national ideals and a United Greece.
- The second document presents the Resolution for Rhodes (July 7, 1946). As the culmination of the session’s proceedings, the Municipal Council issued Resolution No. 14, which is recorded in the minutes. It is explicitly addressed “to the Island of RHODES” and bears an annotation that identical copies be sent to all the Dodecanese islands. Through this resolution, the Municipality of Athens votes to send a “cordial greeting upon its union with Mother Greece and wishes prosperity under the life-giving breath of freedom.” This historical document is co-signed by the Mayor of Athens I. Pitsikas, and the Secretary-General K. Moustakas.
It should be noted that the Paris decision was not immediately implemented. The definitive integration was promulgated by Law 518/48 “concerning the annexation of the Dodecanese to Greece”. On March 7, 1948, in the presence of state officials, the integration of the Dodecanese was formally sealed during an official ceremony.
