21.02.2019.
Defender of the Fatherland Day Marked
A ceremonial reception in the Russian Embassy in Belgrade was organised to celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday that for Russia is a symbol of the heroic history of the state, the unity of the people and the army, the glory and patriotism of the Russian armed forces.
The celebration of the Defender of the Fatherland Day was attended by president of the Republic of Serbia and supreme commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Milan Mojsilović, Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of veterans' associations, as well as officials from the sphere of politics, culture and art.After playing the Russian and the Serbian anthems, Alexander Chepurin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia, welcomed guests, saying that Russia and Serbia had to defend their independence and sovereignty on several occasions, which formed the character of these two peoples with strong armies, but still the main Russian and Serbian weapons are the courage of their soldiers and officers.
- Members of the armed forces of Russia and Serbia are connected by current tasks. Our military and military-technical cooperation is actively developing. Russia supports the neutral status of Serbia. It welcomes the enhancement of Serbia's good relations with all countries, if it suits its interests. We are committed to a peaceful resolution of the problem in Kosovo and Metohija in compliance with the international law. Serbia will have enough strength and patience to withstand all the temptations – Ambassador Chepurin said.
The closeness of the views of the two countries, according to Chepurin, was confirmed during the recent meeting of the two presidents – Vladimir Putin and Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade.- This autumn we will mark 75 years since we have jointly freed Belgrade from the fascist occupiers – the ambassador recalled, adding that it is important to jointly renew the Memorial Cemetery to the Liberators of Belgrade which is the final resting place to 1.395 fighters of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and 818 members of the Red Army.
In the end, Alexander Chepurin invited those present to make the toast for strengthening the brotherhood of the two countries and nations and brotherly cooperation between the armed forces, congratulating the Defender of the Fatherland Day.
Defender of the Fatherland Day is one of the biggest Russian holidays, the day when parades, walks, concerts, exhebitions of photographs, weapons and military materiel are organized in almost all cities throughout Russia. It is also celebrated in the barracks. Thematic literary evenings and theatre performances, as well as many other festivities are organised. On that day, the Russians pay tribute to the soldiers, veterans of the army and navy, to the families of those who were and those who are still in the military ranks.
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VIDEOGALLERY21.02.2019
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