Saint Petersburg – Srpska’s Minister of Labour and Veterans and Disabled Persons’ Affairs Petar Đokić says there are attempts to legitimise neo-fascist ideas in Europe spread by certain groups through certain political parties and other social structures.
Đokić told Srna neo-fascism can be found in various groups and that one of them has been active in Ukraine in the latest events there, where it emerged as a far right organisation.
“Neo-fascist ideas are advocated by few groups but it is staggering that there are more and more of them in a number of countries,” said the minister who is taking part in the “Neo-Fascism in Europe: 70 Years Later” International Conference in Saint Petersburg.
The conference has warned of the occurrence of neo-fascist ideas when the world is trying to find a way out from the global economic and financial crisis. Participants have voiced grave concern over the silence and tolerance of such ideas.
Đokić said warnings were made against the ghastly consequences of fascism for Europe and that the Serbs, as a nation that suffered a great deal under fascism, have a reason to support all efforts in making sure that a strong voice is heard and that resistance is put up against such incidents, groups and individuals.
“We are disturbed by the fact that the international policy and law have employed double standards in relation to certain nations, to resolving some of their most important national issues, and that is one of the reasons for a big concern,” said Đokić.
According to the minister, the conference is attended by scientists, politicians and representatives of the nations with special ties stemming from the period of fascism who suffered the greatest atrocities, above all the Russian and Jewish people, as well as other nations that suffered great human and material losses in the Second World War.
“We have made interesting contacts with certain foundations and big Russian companies. In informal talks they expressed a special interest in Republika Srpska and Serbia,” said the minister.
The Russian Federation devotes a great deal of attention to marking 100 years since the start of the First World War and Russia has been carrying out some activities to that end, Đokić said.
“There is a chance of developing a certain kind of cooperation between the activities conducted by Republika Srpska together with the Serbian Government and what the Russian Federation is doing,” Đokić added.
Assistant Minister Duško Milunović is attending the conference as well.
The event is organised by the Centre of National Glory of Russia Public Foundation and Andrew the First-Called Foundation in cooperation with the European Jewish Congress, the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Youth Time International Movement. (SRNA)
