Serbia has acquired an important historical document - the notorious Hitler Directive No. 25 regarding the attack on Yugoslavia and Greece

After the recent purchase of Paja Jovanovic's work titled 'Odmor bashibozuka' (Rest of the Soldier with a Rifle), Serbia today, in the afternoon hours, acquired the infamous Directive No. 25 from March 27, 1941, by which German Chancellor Adolf Hitler issued an order for the attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Kingdom of Greece.

As stated in the announcement by the Government of Serbia, based on an initiative sent by the Museum of Genocide Victims to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and at the request of the President, the government secured the necessary funds to purchase one of the most significant documents for the entire history of the Serbian people this afternoon.

Directive No. 25, signed by Adolf Hitler, was composed in thirteen originals, one of which is now in the possession of the Republic of Serbia.

This document, whose content marked the beginning of World War II on the entire territory of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, occurred in the early morning hours of April 6, 1941. Its significance is comparable to the telegram declaring war on the Kingdom of Serbia by the Austro-Hungarian Empire on July 28, 1914.

By issuing the order to commence joint combat actions against the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Kingdom of Greece, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler marked the beginning of four years of dramatic battles and immeasurable civilian suffering, especially among the Serbian people.

Among other things, this document contains an explicit order for the implementation of brutal air attacks and round-the-clock bombing of Belgrade, the readiness to cede parts of Yugoslavia's territory to Bulgaria and Hungary after the occupation, as well as the promise that 'political promises to the Croats will intensify internal political tension in Yugoslavia.'

This invaluable document and historical source, now in the possession of the Republic of Serbia, simultaneously foreshadowed numerous dramatic, tragic, and heroic events that marked the period of World War II throughout the occupied Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

With today's purchase of this historically significant source, the Republic of Serbia, its president, and the government once again demonstrated determination and the existence of professional and all other necessary logistical resources, enabling the systematic, professional, and continuous repatriation of movable cultural assets to our country. This includes the acquisition of units of historical, cultural, artistic, and other heritage significant for the history and culture of the Serbian people and the entire Republic of Serbia.

The content of this directive resulted, among other things, in creating all the necessary conditions for the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia, i.e., for the initiation of genocide against the members of the Serbian people on its entire territory.