May 9, 2025, will mark 80 years since the glorious victory of the Allies over Nazi-Fascism, the greatest evil in the history of civilization. Serbia and the Serbian people made a tremendous contribution to that victory and, along with the Russian and Polish peoples, suffered the most casualties for the freedom of Europe and the world. On this occasion, independent, non-partisan, non-profit associations – Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals, The Club of Generals and Admirals of Serbia, Fund Diaspora for the Motherland, SUBNOR Serbia (Union of WWII Veterans) and The Association of Military Intelligence Veterans, send the following

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We call on all patriotic associations, organizations and individuals to dedicate this year to paying their deepest respects to the hundreds of thousands of casualties of the Serbian struggle for freedom, heroes and fighters for national liberation, as well as millions of civilian casualties. Their suffering, sacrifices and merits oblige present and future generations to eternally remember, preserve and strengthen the legacy of freedom, independence and dignity. Remembering and respecting the historical truth and the enormous human sacrifices is a prerequisite for others to respect Serbia and the Serbian people, its rights and interests, at present and in the future.

We welcome the upcoming participation of Serbia, at the highest level, and the Serbian Armed Forces in the solemn celebration of the anniversary of the victory over Nazi-Fascism in Moscow. The historical truth is that the greatest contribution to the victory over Nazi-Fascism was made by the Soviet Red Army, and we demand a resolute opposition to any attempt to belittle or underestimate its historical role in that victory. Along with the units of the People's Liberation Army and the Partisan Detachments of Yugoslavia, it made an immeasurable contribution to the final operations for the liberation of Yugoslavia and Belgrade. We express our deepest gratitude and bow to the memory of over 10,000 Red Army soldiers who gave their lives in that common struggle.

The participation of young people and their associations in marking this glorious anniversary is a prerequisite for the heroic liberators and their sacrifice to always be remembered and respected. The commemoration program should take place throughout the year and be incorporated into the curricular and extracurricular activities of all students, as well as into the programs of information, publishing, scientific and cultural institutions.

We express our deepest concern about the systematic efforts of certain global powers to revise history by minimizing the responsibility of Nazi-Fascism for causing World War II, for genocide against other peoples, including the genocide against the Serbian people, for crimes against peace and humanity, for ethnic cleansing and the enormous destruction that has set Europe and all of humanity back.

We condemn all attempts to equate the bearers of Nazi-Fascism, occupiers and their proxies with the liberators and victors over Hitler's Nazi-Fascism. We are deeply concerned by the trend of the revival of Neo-Nazism and Neo-Fascism that, under the guise of anti-communism and democracy, is taking place on the European continent, in which certain European institutions such as the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and others are taking part. In former Yugoslavia, this trend is reflected in the decades-long revival of the Ustashe ideology as a branch of Nazi-Fascism responsible for the genocide against the Serbian people and in the association and favoring of former members of the Axis Powers on an anti-Serbian basis.

We call on educational, scientific, cultural and information institutions and organizations to pay greater attention to preserving historical truth and affirming the civilizational achievements of the victory over German Nazi-Fascism, in particular, to valuing the immense contribution of Serbia and the Serbian people to the Allied cause. At the same time, everyone, in accordance with their place and role in society, has an obligation to resolutely oppose any attempt to falsify history. This we owe to the enormous casualties who are a part of our national identity and a guarantee of respect for Serbs and Serbia in international relations.

Writing and printing textbooks about this must not be treated as a market issue, but exclusively as a matter of education and should be treated as the primary responsibility of the state. When it comes to educational programs, it is the obligation of relevant state authorities to ensure an appropriate and verified presentation of the history of the First and Second World Wars, as well as the NATO aggression of 1999.

The role and contribution of Serbia and the Serbian people in the Allied victory, in opposing the policy of aggression and dominance, in the struggle for respecting international law, and in particular, the principle of equality in sovereignty, make Serbia and the Serbian people unique in Europe. This invaluable heritage must be affirmed and defended from all deceptions and attacks, from outside and within.

We call on relevant state institutions to adopt a document on the genocide of the Serbian people during World War II, to erect a Serbian Memorial to the victims of genocide in the 20th century, and to complete the "Eternal Flame" monument to the casualties of NATO aggression in the Park of Friendship, New Belgrade.

We advocate for initiating a claim for war reparations from the NATO aggressor.

We call on citizens' associations, local government institutions, as well as cultural and educational organizations to restore and preserve monuments to fallen soldiers and civilian casualties of the Nazi-Fascist occupation, to give or restore the names of streets, cultural centers, libraries and other institutions in honor of heroes in the struggle against fascism, as well as all those who defended the country from NATO aggression.

Despite its setbacks and manipulations, the United Nations, founded 80 years ago as a result of the victory over Nazi-Fascism, has played a positive role in promoting dialogue, human rights, development and peaceful resolution of conflicts. We advocate for the reform and strengthening of the UN to reflect the profound changes in global relations and ensure a more balanced representation of the world's regions and humanity's aspirations for a new, democratically organized order of countries that are treated as equals.

Responsibility for peace, development and the future of humanity cannot be expressed through the egoism of the "exceptional", warmongering policies and a senseless arms race. We call for dialogue, coexistence and investment in a better life, schools and hospitals instead of means of mass murder and self-destruction.

We advocate for: preserving and strengthening alliances from the world wars and proven strategic partnerships; for the creation of a fair world order, non-interference and coexistence, in which everyone is the master of their own destiny and national wealth; for a new security architecture in Europe based on respect and mutually beneficial cooperation for everyone; for arms control, peaceful resolution of international disputes and conflicts through elimination of their causes; for raising the policy of Serbia's active neutrality to a constitutional level; for a balanced international position of Serbia, with the development of relations and cooperation with all important factors in world relations based on the principles of equality; for resolving the issue of the autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohia in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the annulment of all acts contrary to that Security Council decision and the Constitution of Serbia; for resolving the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton-Paris Agreement, respecting the original (acquired) rights of Republika Srpska, as well as for the immediate abolition of the outdated institution of the High Representative.

Belgrade, April 7, 2025

Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals

Club of Generals and Admirals of Serbia

Fund Diaspora for the Motherland

SUBNOR Serbia (Union of WWII Veterans)

Association of Military Intelligence Veterans of Serbia