25.04.2022.
Minister Stefanović Laid Wreath at Commonwealth Cemetery
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović PhD attended the ceremony of ANZAC Day observance and laid a wreath at Commonwealth War Cemetery in Belgrade, accompanied by Commander of Training Command Major General, Željko Petrović and Head of Military Health Department Brigadier General Radivoje Anđelković.
During the ceremony, Minister Stefanović laid rosemary on the graves of Australian and New Zeeland warriors in keeping with customs of these countries.
The ceremony was held in honour of Australian and New Zeeland armed forces which participated in the First World War. Australian Ambassador Daniel Emery said on that occasion that in 1915 those two countries had participated in armed conflicts for the first time under their own flags.
- At dawn of 25th April, ANZAC troops set foot in the territory of Turkey for the first time in the unfortunate Dardanelles campaign. The majority of the young men in the troops had no military or fighting experience whatsoever, much less the idea what to expect. Soon after, they were confronted with the most terrible horrors of war – Ambassador Emery said.
Pointing out the numerous casualties of the Battle of Gallipoli, the Australian Ambassador reminded of the suffering of Serbian soldiers in the First World War.
- Serbia was among the most affected countries, which tragically lost too much soldiers and civilians, the people who bravely fought to defend their country. Australia is immensely proud of the assistance rendered to Serbia by Australian nurses, famous Olive King being among them, who received the Saint Sava order for her contribution – Ambassador Emery emphasised.
On that occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey Hami Askoy reminded of the words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkish state, who had said that “Those heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”
ANZAC Day is one of the most important national holidays in Australia and New Zeeland and it is observed every year on 25th April as a reminder of the first great battle of Australian and New Zeeland armed forces that took place in Gallipoli in Turkey in the First World War. The fighting began on 25th April 1915 and ended on 9th January 1916.
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