The Russian and Slovak presidents presented state decorations to a group of veterans from the two countries, who fought in the battles to liberate Slovakia.
Speaking at a ceremony decorating war veterans, Mr Medvedev noted that 60,000 Soviet citizens gave their lives in the battles to liberate Slovakia, as did a large number of Slovaks, with whom they fought together side by side.
The President said that the memory of the fallen and the friendship forged in the common fight against Nazism must be handed down to young people, to those who will build a united Europe and become the guardians of the continent’s peace and security.
In their joint declaration, the Russian and Slovak presidents said that they will do everything possible to prevent the emergence of new forms of nationalist ideology and hostility and attempts to whitewash the Nazis and their accomplices. The two leaders also noted the decisive contribution the peoples of the Soviet Union made to liberating Europe from Nazism.
Russia and Slovakia, the declaration states, take the view that an objective and respectful attitude towards history is the yardstick for responsible and civilised ties between countries focused on mutual understanding and cooperation throughout all of Europe.