Belgrade celebrates its liberation in WWII

BELGRADE - A ceremony marking 70 years since the liberation of Belgrade in World War II was held at Centre Sava on Sunday evening, bringing together government officials and Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali.

The ceremony also gathered Jasmina Mitrovic Maric, on behalf of the Serbian president, WWII veterans from Serbia and allied countries, diplomatic corps and public figures.

Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, who addressed the audience on behalf of the Serbian government, underscored that the government does not forget the legacy of anti-fascism and celebrates all the victories with pride.

"The Serbs have always been on the right side, always against hatred, evil and slavery. The fights for the liberation of Belgrade from October 14-20, 1944, were possibly the most severe battles of the war in our capital's memory," Stefanovic said, adding that the victory secured by our and Soviet heroes is a historic accomplishment that must not slip into oblivion.

Serbia's anti-fascist past is also its anti-fascist present and the future the Serbian people will bequeath to their children, he stated.

"We fight today as well, although the battles are somewhat different, as they are meant to strengthen the struggling economy, get rid of corrupt criminals and improve our international position," Stefanovic pointed out.

The goal is the same, a strong and free Serbia, he noted.

The battle for Belgrade is nowadays fought by building the city, developing it and making it a better place to live in, Mali remarked, stressing that the Serbian capital would soon become the biggest construction site in Southeastern Europe.

"Seldom in its history was Belgrade as peaceful and free as it is today, so...