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World War II lessons urge readiness to protect lasting peace - Tajik president

Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon laid a wreath on Friday to the fighters memorial in Dushanbe's Victory Park and congratulated veterans on Victory Day
Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon EPA/S. SABAWOON/POOL
Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon
© EPA/S. SABAWOON/POOL

DUSHANBE, May 09. /ITAR-TASS/. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon laid a wreath on Friday to the fighters memorial in Dushanbe's Victory Park and congratulated veterans on Victory Day.

After the wreath-laying ceremony, servicemen of the republic's National Guard marched past the memorial as a military band played.

The president talked with veterans participating in the festivities. Speaking about the imperishable value of victory and the feat of the Soviet people in the war against Nazism, Rakhmon underlined that "World War II lessons urge us to be vigilant and prepared to protect lasting peace, given the current situation in the world with its global challenges and threats."

As part of Victory Day celebrations, Tajikistan's large libraries and museum launched displays telling about the feat of the Soviet people in the great battle. Meetings with veterans were arranged at the initiative of the Russian Embassy and Russia's Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation.

A gala concert will take place in Dushanbe on Friday evening.

Almost 300,000 Tajiks fought on World War II fronts. More than one-third of them were killed.

At present, slightly more than 1,300 WW II veterans live in Tajikistan. Each of them was paid 1,000 somoni ($200) on behalf of the president ahead of Victory Day.