China News Agency, Beijing, May 19, Prague News: On the 18th local time, Czech President Zeman apologized to visiting Serbian President Vucic for his participation in the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 and asked the Serbian people for forgiveness.

　　The spokesperson of the Czech President Jr Ovčáček announced the above news on his social media account on the same day.

The Czech Republic joined NATO in March 1999.

Soon after, the Czech Republic voted for NATO’s bombing of the Yugoslavia.

From 1998 to 2002, Zeman served as prime minister of the Czech government.

Zeman began his presidency in 2013 and was re-elected in 2018.

　　The Czech News Agency reported that Zeman pointed out that at that time the Czech Republic wanted to find other countries within NATO that opposed the bombing operations, but ultimately failed.

"This is lack of courage. By begging for forgiveness, I resolved the long-lasting trauma in my heart." He also said that in history, Serbia has supported the Czech Republic several times, but we responded with "agree to bombing."

Because of this, I want to apologize on this occasion.

　　The Serbian N1 TV website quoted Vucic as saying that the Czech people are not only friends of the Serbs, but also "our brothers."

The Serbs will never forget what Zeman said, because no senior foreign leader has apologized for NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia.

　　According to public information, NATO bombed Yugoslavia from March 24 to June 10, 1999.

The operation was not authorized by the United Nations, and it was the first time NATO had used force without the approval of the UN Security Council, and it targeted sovereign countries that did not pose a threat to NATO member states.

The bombing killed more than 3,500 people and injured about 12,500, causing at least 30 billion U.S. dollars in property damage.

　　In February 2003, the Yugoslav Federation changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro (Serbia and Montenegro).

On June 3, 2006, Montenegro declared its independence.

On the 5th of the same month, Serbia announced that it would inherit Serbia and Montenegro's status as the subject of international law and become an independent country.

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