5 hours agoParis brought together some 70 world leaders
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)World leaders gathered in Paris will chair this Sunday's memorial ceremonies, marking the last 100th anniversary of World War I, at a time when nationalism is growing and global society is involved in diplomatic tensions. About 70 world leaders, including the American and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir [...]
About 70 world leaders, including the US and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1918 truce in the French capital at 11m local.
Meanwhile, ceremonies in New Zealand, Australia, India, Hong Kong, and Myanmar have marked the beginning of worldwide commemorations for a conflict involving millions of military troops from countries colonised in Asia and Africa.
Leaders of the nations of “Commonworth”, whose forces were sent under British command 100 years ago, also delivered a message of peace and hope to the world for the next century.
It was a war where India was not directly involved, yet our soldiers fought worldwide for the cause of peace”, wrote Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter this Sunday.
For our tomorrows, they gave up their today”, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in front of a crowd of people gathered for the national Memorial Day ceremony in Canberra.
Memorials in Paris, focused on the tomb of “Unrecognised Army” under the Arch of Triumfi, are expected to include warnings about the danger of nationalism in modern times.
This is not just a memorial day, but it should also be a powerful call for action”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the previous day after visiting the forest area in northeast France, where the ceasefire agreement was signed.
Merkel will also hold the opening speech, next to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, at a conference titled “The Paris Peace Forum”, which will be held after the memorial service at “Champs Elysees”, morning this Sunday.
Organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, the forum in question aims to underline the importance of international institutions for helping solve conflicts, prevent wars and spread prosperity. British Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II will attend a separate event in London.
