Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski attended Tuesday in the Belgium town of Nieuwpoort a commemoration marking 100 years since the first Battle of Ypres alongside kings, presidents, premiers, ministers and ambassadors from 83 countries.

In honor of the victims and the global changes introduced by the First World War, the Belgian royal family led by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde hosted numerous royal officials from the Netherlands, Morocco, Luxembourg, etc.

Apart from PM Gruevski, other political leaders attending the event included Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, the presidents of Malta, Hungary and Mali - Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Janos Ader and Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta – and France’s Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Throughout the First World War, German and Allied troops fought over the strategically important city of Ypres, resulting in huge losses on both sides. In October 1914, the Belgian army managed to halt the German advance by flooding the plains around the city.

“The victims of these horrendous wars demand in the name of the civilizations to do everything we can in order to live in peace and to maintain it,” Chancellor Merkel stated at the ceremony.

“100 years later, on the same soil we renew the commitment of King Albert I and while other guns are thundering around the world, we firmly accept the torch of those before us – the torch of justice, dignity and peace,” stated Belgium’s King Philippe.

The commemorations kicked off at a monument to then Belgian King Albert I in Nieuwpoort.

Later in the day, the guests are expected to head to Ypres for the Last Post, a traditional final salute to fallen soldiers that is held every day.

Attending Tuesday’s commemoration, PM Gruevski held a series of informal and brief talks with other leaders.