The defeat of fascism in WWII wasn't only a military victory in the 20th century's bloodiest conflict, but also a victory of European civilisation respecting the dignity of every human being, President Andrej Kiska stated at the Jan Žižka First Czechoslovak Partisan Brigade Memorial in Makov on Tuesday to commemorate May 8, known as 'Victory over Fascism Day' in Slovakia.
"We've met here on the border of the Czech and Slovak Republics near the last liberated village in our territory during WWII to commemorate the most important victory in modern history for our countries and Europe. On May 8, 1945 the people of Europe won a struggle for their own and our survival. We came here today to offer thanks for their sacrifice, courage and endurance," said Kiska, who paid tribute to members of the First Czechoslovak Army Corps, "heroes of the famous Red Army", soldiers from the Romanian military, partisans, members of the domestic resistance and allies on the eastern front. Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš, also present, said that "those who survived and also those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of their homeland deserve our respect also 73 years after the end of the war".
At a similar commemorative event at the Slavín WWII memorial in Bratislava that same day, former prime minister and Smer-SD party chairman Robert Fico made statements on a different theme, declaring that his main governing party won't participate in the "anti-Russian madness" that he claims is spreading like a cancer worldwide without any serious evidence to support it. According to Fico, small countries that are servile end up losing their own face. "A country can be small, but it needn't be servile - it can be sovereign. It's enough to observe international law," said Fico. "If Russia violates the law, we simply state it. When there was the annexation of Crimea, we described it as a violation of international law," said Fico, going on also to call the April missile attacks of the United States, Britain and France against Syria a "gross violation" of international law. "You can't use military force without a mandate from the UN Security Council," stressed Fico, adding that Smer has never supported "military adventures".
Deputy Prime Minister for Investment and Informatisation, Richard Raši, will take part in a commemoration at Slavín in Bratislava on Wednesday, May 9 at 3 pm as a commemorative act on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the Day of Victory over Fascism, and with Wednesday being Europe Day. Cultural and musical events are also planned in Bratislava's Main Square throughout the day.
