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On 8 May 2007, Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks invited the Latvian community to pay tribute to the victims of World War II with deep respect and dignity. Minister Pabriks noted that the war brought enormous devastation to all on either side of the front line; therefore we must pay tribute to all the soldiers who fell, regardless of the colour of their uniform.
Mr Pabriks called on the people not to use this day for political manipulations, and stressed that 8 May is a day of both mourning and celebration, as on this day, when we remember the victims of World War II, we also mark the anniversary of the defeat of Nazism.
Although the end of the war did not bring the long-sought freedom to many nations, who still had to wait fifty years till they could raise their national flags, the 8th of May in Europe marks the end to one of the most destructive and tragic wars in the history of humanity.
In remembrance of the victims of World War II, the Foreign Minister will lay flowers at the Lestene Brethren Cemetery, and will also attend the official wreath-laying ceremony at the Riga Cemetery of the Brethren on 8 May together with other senior Latvian officials.
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