DUSHANBE, 17.04.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – The CIS Council of Interior Ministers released a joint statement regarding the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Their statement is printed below.

Seventy-five years ago we saw the end of the Great Patriotic War — the most difficult test in history that befell our peoples, who in a single patriotic impulse, rose to defend their homeland from an insidious and cruel enemy. On the battlefields and at home, our ancestors showed the world examples of courage, heroism and stamina. In the fight against the fascist invaders, they endured all the hardships and deprivations of the harsh military plight.

More and more time separates us from the Great Victory, but the degree of the significance of this historical event rises with each year. The memory of victory in May of 1945 still unites the peoples of the CIS member states. This date is more than a holiday. It is a moral and spiritual reference point for all post-war generations, checking their life course with it.

On this day, with a special feeling of gratitude, we recall the names of those who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom and independence of the homeland, who, being far from the front line, at the limit of their strength provided all that was necessary to those fighting in the front.

A significant role in the defeat of the enemy was played by employees of the internal affairs bodies. Most of them volunteered for the war, the rest strengthened the rear of the Red Army, subordinating the interests of the front to all their activities. They ensured the intensive work of enterprises, controlled the protection of factories and power plants, participated in the detention of spies and saboteurs, and organized a merciless fight against deserters, speculators and looters. Meanwhile, police officers continued to protect public order and worked to deter an increase in crime rates.

All of them, — famous and nameless heroes, — sought to ensure that the long-awaited peace come to their land, and their descendants never know the horrors of war.

The memory of this unprecedented feat will forever remain in our hearts!

The next anniversary of the Great Victory reminds us that the war should not be repeated, and all conflicts in the modern world should be resolved exclusively by peaceful means. It also teaches us that any aggressor will suffer just retribution.

We would like to express special words of gratitude to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War and the participants of the labor front.

Dear veterans! You have protected the future by giving us confidence in the future. Your ideals of goodness, justice and love for the homeland today inspire us to continue the constructive work for the prosperity of our countries.

The historical scale and significance of your feat is timeless. We will always be proud of you, the generation of winners!

It is a great honor to be the heir of the victors of the Great Patriotic War. Accepting the baton of peace from you, we, the employees of the internal affairs bodies (police) of the CIS member states, are aware that today, against the backdrop of increasing challenges and threats of our time, the burden of responsibility for the safety of citizens lies on our shoulders. The successful fulfillment of this important task largely depends on the consolidation of efforts of the CIS Ministries of Internal Affairs (police) in the field of combating transnational crime, and the high result of joint work will fully meet the interests of the peoples of our countries.