French diplomat: Everything must be done to ensure that tragedies like Khatyn never happen again

Everything must be done to ensure that tragedies like Khatyn never happen again, France's Chargé d'Affaires in Belarus Ludovic Royer told reporters as he visited the Khatyn memorial complex near Minsk on 10 November, BelTA has learned.

"11 November is observed as Remembrance Day in Europe. Every year, we, together with the British Ambassador, the U.S. Ambassador when he is in Minsk, visit different places. Last year we went to the cemetery in Minsk, this year we chose Khatyn. We were here in March. I first came here in 2005. We have a similar place in France called Oradour-sur-Glane. A similar story happened there, as in Khatyn or other places in Belarus during the Second World War. So it's a very familiar place for me. This is symbolic, and it is important for us to be here at least once a year," Ludovic Royer said.

The French Chargé d'Affaires in Belarus is convinced that a diplomat working in Belarus should know what Khatyn is. "Therefore, we are well aware of the horrors that happened here. Of course, we must do everything to ensure that this never happens again. Our job is to do everything to make sure this [the tragedy of Khatyn] is not forgotten. I see groups of students here and understand that it is important for the country so that history is not forgotten," he said.

When asked why some countries have forgotten about the feat of the Soviet people during the war, the French diplomat expressed the opinion that this can be part of politics. He noted that during the Second World War there were two fronts. "You can't be involved in politics if you don't know history," he said.

On 10 November, Chargé d'Affaires of France in Belarus Ludovic Royer and UK Ambassador to Belarus Jacqueline Perkins visited the Khatyn memorial complex. The diplomats laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. They also visited the museum and left entries in the museum book.

Written by belta.by