Serbia marks 100 years since victory in First World War

Ivica Dacic said on Sunday that it is not enough only to be heroes in the war, "but we must also conduct a smart policy in peace."

The purpose would be "not to lose in peace all that we won in wars," Dacic is quoted by the Serbian government.

The first deputy PM and foreign minister, who attended the ceremony at the French Military Cemetery in Belgrade marking the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War, organized by the embassy of France in Serbia, pointed out after the laying of the wreaths that it is important to send today a message of peace, reconciliation and the common future of European nations.

He referred to the great victory of the Allies, including Serbia, in the First World War, but also pointed out that that was a great suffering for Serbia, which lost a third of its population in that war.

We must learn the lesson that it is important to conduct a smart policy in peace, Dacic concluded.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic led today, on behalf of the Serbian government, a state ceremony of laying wreaths and paying tribute on the occasion of the Armistice Day in the First World War.

The state ceremony at the Memorial Ossuary to the Defenders of Belgrade began with the playing of the Serbian national anthem, followed by a minute of silence to pay homage to the fallen victims.

Wreaths and flowers were laid by members of the Serbian government and representatives of the City of Belgrade, as well as representatives of the military-diplomatic corps, including the ambassadors of France, Russia, Germany and other countries.

Stefanovic said that with today's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice and the great victory we want to express deepest respect for hundreds of thousands of warriors and civilians who lost their lives...

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