Poland commemorates 70th anniversary of end of World War II

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski along with leaders from several other European countries inaugurated commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Gdansk on Thursday.

As part of the events, an international conference was organized by Gdansk-based European Solidarity Center under the auspices of Polish president, local media reported.

The conference gathered top-level historians from European countries and comprised two panel discussions, themed "The Legacy of World War II 70 Years Later" and "European Integration. Lesson from World War II and Its Contemporary Meaning."

In his speech at the conference, President Komorowski said that "to integrate means to build good relations with neighbors, to overcome the dark sides of history, and to unite regardless of this history."

Komorowski stressed that the city of Gdansk, where the World War II started, is of fundamental and symbolic importance for both Poland and Europe.

Leaders of European states, including head of the European Council Donald Tusk, will participate in the celebrations held at Westerplatte, a site where the first battle of the World War II took place.