Appeal of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 – 1945

The victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic war of 1941 – 1945 was decisive in the destruction of Fascism, saving Europe from Nazism and reviving hopes to protect future generations against the horrors of war. We struggled our way to the Victory through efforts and sacrifices of all the nations of the Commonwealth. 9 May 1945 will be forever remembered as the VE-Day in our collective memory.

There is no measure enough to the feeling of our gratitude and moral debt to those who defended the Homeland, rebuilt the country out of ruins to new levels of wellbeing. Today, we ought to deliver on our commitment to the glorious generation through utmost care and concern for the living veterans of the frontlines and the home front. Preserving memorials, protecting them from desecration and degradation, caring about soldiers’ tombs, recovering the remains of the fallen defenders of the Nations and immortalizing their labor is our common and sacred obligation.

Today we must remember the lessons of war, pay respect to the sacred memories of the fallen, revisit the historical legacy of nations which fought a heroic struggle through the Resistance movement in Europe and the consolidation of the Anti-Hitler coalition. Joint action brought about the defeat of Nazism and became the first building block of the United Nations, a foundation of today’s world order.

Today, the visibility of the Victory of our peoples is of particular importance. The international community must stand firm against looming challenges and threats: glorification of the Nazi movement, revival of Fascism, the spread of xenophobia and racism.

The Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations appeals to the parliaments and governments of the Commonwealth and international parliamentary organizations to oppose the attempts to rewrite history by reviewing the outcomes of World War II and the Nuremberg Trials; stand against nihilism of the heroic acts of victor-fighters and erasing memories of the victims of World War II.

We are committed to peace and peaceful settlement of conflicts through diplomatic means, using the potential of parliamentary diplomacy, mutual understanding and cooperation among States and nations. We call for joint action to deliver a fair world and wellbeing of nations.

The legacy of our common Victory will remain a powerful unifying force among nations, as the world moves on into the future!