11.11.2014.

The Day of Armistice in the Great War marked

With highest state and military honors, President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic, accompanied by Head of General Staff of Serbia General Ljubisa Dikovic laid wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Hero on Avala, on the occasion of the Day of Armistice in the Great War – November 11.

President of Serbia wrote the following into the Memorial Book – From this place and your sacrifice, Serbia draws the strength to move forward. There is no concern for the fate of Serbia that looks up to you.

With the sounding of the anthem of the Republic of Serbia, President Nikolic laid wreaths with the inscription – To heroic ancestors, proud descendants – President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic.

The central state ceremony on the occasion of the Day of Armistice in the Great War, in memory of all innocent victims between 1914 and 1918 took place today at the Memorial Bone House of defenders of Belgrade in the Great War, at the New Cemetery complex.

Wreaths were laid by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, delegation of the Armed Forces of Serbia headed by Brigadier General Stanko Vasiljevic, representatives of ministries, the City of Belgrade, ambassadors and defence attaches of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Russian Federation, United States of America, Slovakia, United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Netherlands and Czech Republic to the Republic of Serbia, and representatives of association that foster traditions of liberation wars.

The SAF delegation also laid wreaths at the Cemetery of Commonwealth Warriors, Memorial Bone House of Russian soldiers and at the French Military Cemetery.

Reflecting on the significance of marking today’s date, Prime Minister Vucic stressed that our country has the heritage of common history of the European continent, and that, resisting numerous challenges throughout its history, it has chosen the progressive side, striving for freedom, independence and overall progress.

- The Great War, particularly tragic for European nations, began with the attack of powerful empires on the small Kingdom of Serbia. Four wartime years of suffering of civilians, Serbian soldiers, destruction of cultural and material possessions, and great military victories marked the history of the previous century. This is also confirmed by the fact that there are few families in Serbia that did not lose at least one of their members during this war – Prime Minister Vucic stressed, adding that the very scope and consequence of suffering of our people oblige us to actively remember, fight the stereotypes of discord and any form of hatred.

The Day of Armistice in the Great War is marked in memory of November 11, 1918 when the Armistice of the Great War was signed in France, at the special wagon of Marshal Ferdinand Foch. The ceremony is listed among most significant ceremonies that will be held at the same time in all capital cities of victor-states of the Great War in honor of the anniversary of this great historical event.