Deniau lays wreath at Monument of Gratitude to France

BELGRADE - French Ambassador to Serbia Francois-Xavier Deniau laid a wreath at the Monument of Gratitude to France in Belgrade on Monday, marking July 14, a national holiday in France.

Serbia-s State Secretary for Labour Dragan Popovic and representatives of the Friends of France Association, Assocation for Preserving the Tradition of 1918, Union of Associations of Descendants of Veterans of Wars from 1912 to 1920 and Association of Serbian-French Friendship also laid wreaths at the memorial.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, which served greatly to solidify the ties between Serbia and France, Deniau said.

The French involvement on the eastern front was of more than just strategic importance, as there was clear desire among the French leaders to help Serbia, he noted.

World War One was just one element of the close relations between France and Serbia, but a very important one, he stressed.

France celebrates Bastille Day in memory of July 14, 1789, when disgruntled Parisians seized the fortress prison of Bastille, which is seen today as the symbolic start of the French Revolution.

Photo Tanjug video