President Nicolae Timofti, Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovici and interim Prime Minister Iurie Leanca rendered homage to World War II veterans. In his speech, the head of state underlined that the whole European continent celebrates Europe Day on May 9 and congratulated the people on this occasion, IPN reports.

“Getting rid of the propagandistic clichés, I call on you to christianly commemorate all the victims of the war on this day,” Nicolae Timofti said at the memorial complex “Eternity”. He stated that the war caused a lot of victims and destruction in this part of the world, with over 300,000 Moldovans being killed. “Today, in times of peace, we believe in a better future. On May 9, the whole European continent celebrates Europe Day, the day of peace and unity. That’s why our wish to prosper and become citizens of the free Europe will come true. Dear citizens, I wish you a peaceful and really European future,” he said, addressing all the Moldovans.

Iurie Leanca said that the war was a challenge for the counties and peoples, which claimed many lives. “The people had a dramatic destiny. They made sacrifices for peace and our future. Their heroism was a lesson of patriotism. It is our duty to remember them,” he stated.

Liliana Palihovici said that we must learn several important things such as love and wish to fight up to the end. “I thank you, dear veterans. Your are all our veterans, from one army and from the other. I congratulate you on Europe’s unity day and peace day,” she added.

The officials took part in a commemoration meeting and laid flowers at the monuments of the memorial complex “Eternity”. Afterward, they went to the Central Cemetery to lay flowers at the graves of soldiers killed in battle.