Taipei [Taiwan], May 9: Taiwan held its first official commemoration of the end of World War II in Europe, with President Lai Ching-te urging freedom-loving people and nations to unite against rising authoritarian threats.
Marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the event was attended by representatives from 17 countries and the European Union.
At the "From VE Day to Every Day" event in Taipei, a film shown to diplomats from Europe ended with the powerful message: "Eighty years on, we still remember that only unity can deter expansionist ambitions and defeat aggression."
Lai urged democracies to stand united before risks escalate into crises, and crises fuel expansionist ambitions. "Only then can we continue on for generations with our current way of life; only then can we retain our human dignity and values," Lai said.
"Peace is priceless, and war has no winners. WWII was undoubtedly the deadliest war in human history, and the pain that it caused has echoed even to the present day," Lai said. Lai said that WWII erupted because the world underestimated the aggressors' ambitions, and victory came from united efforts to resist and protect homelands. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
