Slovakia held the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII in Bratislava on Sunday and Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of fascism.

During the ceremony, Gasparovic warned against repeating such an experience.

"It's amazing that WWII took place in the 20th century in an era that saw the greatest advancement in education, technology andthe spread of democracy in the history of the human race. This only proves that not even an advanced society is immune to racism and xenophobia and these thoughts need only very little to find their way to the surface," Gasparovic said.

Gasparovic made the statements at the Bratislava National Monument, where almost 7,000 Red Army soldiers are buried.

"I am proud of the fact that our people never reconciled themselves with fascism and were willing to put their own lives onthe line for their country," Gasparovic said.

The ceremony was also attended by Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and head of Parliament Pavol Hrusovsky, as well as veterans of the war.

Slovak Defence Minister Juraj Liska presented veterans from theCzech Republic, France, Russia, Romania and Poland with commemorative medals.

A military parade was held during the celebrations.

Source: Xinhua