A strong army is the guarantor of Polish independence and peace in this part of Europe, said Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz.

The minister was speaking at commemorations in Warsaw on Thursday marking the 77th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

Macierewicz said that the capabilities which Poles showed during WWII were founded on “national tradition, the Christian faith, and the Polish army”.

“The strength of the Polish army is the guarantor of the independence of our country and is the guarantor of peace in this part of Europe. This is the message which we have to remember, especially on the anniversary of that terrible attack of two empires in Poland and Europe,” Macierewicz said.