Sixty-seventh anniversary of Victory Day marked in Chisinau

Chisinau, 9 May /MOLDPRES/ - Thousands of Moldovans, among whom state officials and ordinary citizens today participated in ceremonies dedicated to the 67th anniversary of the victory over fascism, held at the "Eternitate" Memorial Compound. For the third year in a row, the event brought together veterans of both Soviet and Romanian armies.

The country's top leadership, war veterans and representatives of the young generation delivered speeches in front of the participants in the commemoration rally held today.

In his message addressed to the veterans, Prime Minister Vlad Filat paid homage to the war veterans, noting that there is nothing more valuable that the memory and the gratitude to the heroes who fought for peace. "Seven decades ago, the most dignified people sacrificed their lives for peace and for our future. Thanks to them, we live in a peaceful and united Europe. On this day, we pay homage to the war veterans, to their widows and to those who died on the battlefields. Today, we convey our respect, love and gratitude to them," Filat said.

Moldovan Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu thanked all the veterans of the Second World War for the Victory Day, noting that 9 May has many connotations in history. "On this day, we should not only recall the past, but also do our utmost to avoid any dreadful wars in the future. Furthermore, 9 May is a day of national, spiritual and cultural unity, which makes us think and take actions to ensure the inter-ethnic peace and the civil harmony," Lupu said.

Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti congratulated those present on the Victory Day, as well as on Europe's Day, which is also marked today. "We should be grateful to all the war veterans that fulfilled their duty, defending the country. You held a war to the bitter end and we, the post-war generations, are thankful for this sacrifice. I hope that for the Moldovan people, this day will become a day of confidence in the future. Through joint efforts, we might enter the great European family of free and developed countries," Timofti said.

The festivity dedicated to the Victory Day ended up with ceremonies of laying flowers at the monuments "Focul Vesnic" (Eternal Fire) "Stela Erolior Moldoveni" (Moldovan Heroes' Stele), "Maica Indurerata" (Grieving Mother). Afterwards, the veterans and officials headed to the square of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, where a lunch for veterans was organized.

The parliamentary opposition did not participate in the commemoration actions together with the authorities. The members and supporters of the Party of Communists organized a march from the Arch of Triumph in central Chisinau to the "Eternitate" memorial compound, where they laid flowers in the memory of the soldiers deceased in the Second World War.

Festivities dedicated to the Victory Day will be held throughout the country today.