03 September 2019 - President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, attended a central ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II, which is being held in Warsaw, Poland.
Presidents of the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany Andrzej Duda and Frank Walter Steinmeier opened the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II. The ceremony began symbolically at 04 hours and 40 minutes in the Polish city of Wielun, when the first Nazi bombs fell on Poland and killed the first civilians.
"First of all, I am very pleased that, as President of Montenegro, I had the opportunity to attend a first-class international political event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the beginning of World War II, which, as we recall, began today in 1939 with the attack of Nazi Germany on Poland. I think the event itself is further significant because of the current context in both Europe and the global scene. So this is a time when memories of the importance of events like World War II are beginning to fade, and not only fading due to the passage of time, but especially in Europe because of the rising political rating of far-right politicians trying to rewrite history, trying to relativize the merits of liberators and the victor over fascism and at the same time relativize the responsibility of those who objectively found themselves on the side of fascism at that time," stated President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović as his Office reported.
Leaders and other senior officials of the EU Member States, NATO and the Eastern Partnership were invited to the ceremony, honoring all the victims of World War II by symbolically striking the "bell of peace" in Pilsudski Square and laying a wreath at the Monument to Unknown Heroes.
President Đukanović in the second part of the program attended official dinner in the Royal Castle which Polish President Duda organized for high officials.
"Montenegro is present at such an event, and it is not only historically based but, I would say, very current and significant for us. First of all, the magnificent 13th of July Uprising at that time, from fascism enslaved Europe, represents today, I would say, the most valuable legitimation of Montenegro before Europe and the world, but it seems to me that in addition, Montenegro needs to attend all the places where memory is stored and celebrating the victory over Nazism, to be present and to participate in all events that glorify and elevate anti-fascism as a permanent, moral and state-political vertical of Montenegro throughout its historical history, including current Montenegrin society," concluded Đukanović.
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