PM Xavier Bettel Highlights Importance of Peace on 80th Anniversary of WWII Outbreak

Luxembourg's Prime Minister and Minister of State, Xavier Bettel, yesterday participated in commemorative ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War, held in Warsaw in Poland.

The bombing of the Polish city of Wielun by Nazi troops on 1 September 1939 marked the beginning of the Second World War, a global armed conflict that resulted in the deaths of between 40 and 60 million people. Casualties included some six million Polish citizens - about one-fifth of the country's pre-war population.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of this historic moment, Poland hosted commemorative ceremonies on Sunday in its Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, where the tomb of the "Unknown Soldier" is located. The monument honours the sacrifice of Polish soldiers during the war.

Upon his arrival in Warsaw, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel commented: "The Second World War must be a lesson for us and remind us of our responsibilities today. We must never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of the past. Keeping the peace that we have built so carefully over the last 75 years with our friends and allies in Europe and around the world is the best way to honour their memory. Let's make sure that such a human tragedy never happens again".