Victory Day and Europe Day marked in Serbia

Victory Day and Europe Day marked in Serbia

"Glory eternal to the heroes who defeated the greatest monster in the history of humankind, and paid the high price of freedom with their lives. Eternally grateful Serbia," Selakovic wrote in the Memorial Book.

Selakovic laid the wreath in the presence of the chief of Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Ljubisa Dikovic.

SPS party leader and Serbia's First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic congratulated Victory Day and Europe Day to Serbian citizens, saying that it marked the day when victory over fascism is celebrated, a day that will remain a symbol of heroism and of unity of nations in the defense of freedom and democracy throughout the world.

"Today is also Europe Day. The building of the current EU, a union of European states and nations to which Serbia belongs and toward whose full membership it strives, started on the ideas of ​​anti-fascism, freedom, justice and peace, after the tragedy of the Second World War," he said.

Dacic also noted the attempts to relativize the crimes of fascism and equalize victims and perpetrators, and promote once again the ideas of hatred and intolerance.

"For that reason it is our duty not to allow such attempts to rewrite history, and confront all the challenges that bring peace into question. We must remain committed to the preservation of freedom and peace for the sake of those who have given their lives for these values," Dacic said.

The Second World War in Europe ended on May 9, 1945, with Nazi Germany's capitulation. The exact number of victims has never been established, with assessments ranging from 50 to 80 million people, including between 38 and 55 million civilians.

There are no precise numbers when it comes to the former Yugoslavia, either. A state commission set up to provide this answer after the war found that a total of 1,706,000 people died, a little over 300,000 of them as combatants.

The day is also marked as Europe Day, because of the May 9, 1950 declaration made by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman that called for establishing a new order that would prevent future conflicts between European countries.