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                   Former Enemies Unite for WWI Commemoration

   by VOA News

   Belgium"s royals have welcomed scores of dignitaries for a day of
   events commemorating the centennial of World War I.

   King Philippe and Queen Mathilde began the observations Monday in
   Liege.

   The events commemorate the German invasion of Belgium and the British
   declaration of war on August 4, 1914 when the conflict erupted in full
   force.

   Both sides believed the war would be over by the end of the year.
   Instead, the continent was plunged into hardship and misery for more
   than four years.

   ''On Sunday, the presidents of France and Germany met in France's
   eastern Alsace region to mark the 100-year anniversary of Germany's
   declaration of war on France; the beginnings of WW I.

   Francois Hollande and Joachim Gauck laid the first stone at a memorial
   for French and German soldiers at a summit where 30,000 soldiers were
   killed.

   In his remarks, Hollande praised the peace between France and Germany,
   but noted the difficulties faced by the European Union and the
   continuing challenges to raise the living standard in less prosperous
   parts of Europe.

   Gauck noted in his comments that Europe has its difficulties but said
   the soldiers of World War I would gladly have traded their problems for
   the ones France and Germany face today.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/former-enemies-unite-for-ww1-commemor
   ation/1970961.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/former-enemies-unite-for-ww1-commemoration/1970961.html