4 November: ceremony at the Italian Military Cemetery in Belgrade

(ANSA) - BELGRADO, 04 NOV - On the occasion of National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day, the Ambassador of Italy to Serbia, Luca Gori, and the Defence Attaché, Col. Stefano Giribono, today laid a wreath at the mausoleum of the Italian Military Cemetery in Belgrade, honouring the sacrifice of the more than 10,000 Italian soldiers who fell in the Balkans during World War I. The ceremony was attended by Serbian military authorities, Defence Attachés and representatives of the diplomatic community. The ceremony was attended by Serbian military authorities, Defence Attachés and representatives of the diplomatic community.
    "The wars that shake the global context today, including the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, remind us that peace is never permanent," said Ambassador Gori. "This is why," he added, "today we pay tribute to our Armed Forces, not only those defending national territory, but also to the women and men in uniform deployed in EU NATO and UN missions. In particular, I would like to mention KFOR in Kosovo, whose command was recently reassumed by Italy, which is a fundamental instrument for peacekeeping and stability in the Balkans'.
    Col. Giribono emphasised that today's ceremony represents a moment of reflection in which not only the Italian fallen are remembered, but also all those who have fought for peace and a better future, and where every cross and every name engraved on the tombstones represents a tangible testimony of courage and self-sacrifice that will serve as a warning for future generations.