Serbian and French PMs lay wreaths at monument

Serbian and French PMs lay wreaths at monument

The French prime minister spoke after he and his Serbian counterpart took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of Gratitude to France, built to commemorate the WW1-era alliance between the two countries.

They sent a message that Serbia and France were "bound by long-term steady friendship" that will also be developed in the coming decades.

Vučić said that Serbia in the First World War overcame the hardest challenges, adding that his message "to all who are today trying to tear down its peace and stability" was that -"it will not work":

"No matter what kind of challenges many who do not wish well to Serbia put in front of us, I promise we will not run anywhere, step aside for anyone, that we will win and that Serbia will be a normal, modern and prosperous country."

He emphasized that Serbia "will show its strength, courage and determination," and convince otherwise everyone who thought that "Serbia can be brought down the way they think and the way it occurred to them."

"To all who are trying to tear down the peace and stability in the country, who are today calling for secession of parts of our territory, who, using politics, rather than law, try to destabilize Serbia, the message is clear and unambiguous - Serbia is free, one, only and indivisible."

Turning to the subject of the ties with France, Vučić said that "the highlight of friendship was demonstrated in the First World War, when Serbia was attacked by two empires - the Austro-Hungarian and the German, as well as the neighboring Bulgaria, while France showed its willingness to assist the Serbian soldiers and the wounded." According to him, with this France "acquired a special place in the hearts of Serbia's citizens."

In his address, Manuel Valls said that the two countries were united and on the same side in the war, and are now "united working on a project of peace in Europe."

"This is our way to say we love Serbia, as it loved us," said Valls, paraphrasing the inscription on the monument which reads, "We love France, as it loved us."

Valls added that the monument was a testament to a "steady friendly and brave and demanding relations that connect the two countries because we know how to be that way, in relationships with real friends."

According to him "the friendship of two peoples that is long-lasting like the one between the French and the Serbs needs to be maintained for the generations to come," and in that context said his government will engage in the restoration of the monument.

The French prime minister also stated that his country "has not forgotten the courage of the Serbs in the Great War, as documented by a 1920 decree of the French government" which awarded the Legion of Honor to Belgrade, whose population, he said, did not back down in front of a stronger enemy, and showed tremendous courage.

"The enthusiasm which carried us to fight then carries us today to answer modern challenges," said Valls, and suggested that the two countries are also linked "through cooperation between the two militaries in peacekeeping missions of the European Union on the African continent."

He said that "the young generation should continue the friendship that binds the two countries, demolish the walls between nations and build bridges."

"France is readily waiting for Serbia on its open road to Europe", he reiterated.

Addressing his Serbian counterpart, Valls said, "we are leading two states, we share the same values, we are passionate patriots, and we know where we want to put our energy for the future of our countries.