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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Belgrade Liberation Day victory against fascism

Belgrade, 20 October 2009

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said today in his address to the Serbian Parliament that October 20, Belgrade Liberation Day during the Second World War, is an important day not only for Serbia and Russia but for the whole of Europe, because it marked a joint triumph over fascism.

Medvedev said that it is not necessary to explain to the Serbs which side to take when issues of justice are in question, adding that on the other hand a number of European nations fought on Hitler’s side during the Second World War.

We have to say openly that the politicians of that period are to be held accountable for many things, said Medvedev. He stressed that he does not wish to wake the phantoms of the past but the Russians were not responsible for the Second World War and the distortion of historical facts is hideous.

Russia insists on a fair analysis of history and I particularly wish to speak of these matters here today, on the anniversary of Belgrade’s liberation from fascist occupation, said Medvedev.

The Russian President expressed gratitude to the Serbian people for their responsible and noble attitude towards the history of the Second World War, saying that the Russians and Serbs made heroic sacrifices in the war against fascism and it is important to preserve the memory of those sacrifices because even now there are those who wish to change history in order to advance their personal and political interests.

He said the Kosovo precedent is impermissible and that Russia is ready to provide Serbia all the support it might need to defend its national interests.

It is unacceptable that the inadequacy of negotiations should be used to allow a unilateral declaration of independence by a region, stressed Medvedev.

Medvedev said that solving the Kosovo problem must be based on international law, especially UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and added that Russia has always supported resolving all conflicts through peaceful means and dialogue.

Russia is ready to continue providing all necessary assistance to Serbia to defend its national interests, and we are categorically against drawing comparisons between events in the Caucasus and the Balkans, said Medvedev.

The President of the Russian Federation stressed that Serbia's entry into the EU will not negatively affect relations between Russia and Serbia, and added that Serbia's membership in the EU can only contribute to the traditionally good Serbian-Russian relations.

Most importantly for Russia is that new EU members develop good relations with Russia. Membership in the EU will not hamper relations with Russia, but quite contrary, can improve them, Medvedev said at a special session of the Serbian parliament organised in his honour.

Medvedev is the first foreign president to address the Serbian parliament, and this was also his first speech to MPs of another state.

Previously, Serbian President Boris Tadic hosted a luncheon in the Serbian Presidency building in honour of the Russian President.

After the Russian President’s address to deputies, a cocktail party was organised in the central hall of the National Assembly.

At the end of his visit to Belgrade, at 6 pm, Medvedev will attend an academy in the Sava Centre marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade.