BELGRADE, Serbia

Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday held nationwide celebrations to mark Statehood Day.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of a massive Bosnian flag at the Hum Hill in Sarajevo.

People flocked to squares, streets, and neighborhoods that had been decorated with the national flags.

Members of the Presidency of Bosnia attended the celebrations, while Serb officials were absent.

A memorial service was held in Sarajevo to mark the military and civilian victims of World War II.

Tripartite Bosnian Presidency member Denis Becirovic said that messages of peace, tolerance and unity are more valuable now than ever and stressed Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to take firm steps toward becoming a member of the European Union.

The Croat member of the Council, Zeljko Komsic, expressed the hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive EU candidate country status within the next month.

Government officials laid wreaths at the Memorial for Children Killed during the Bosnian War.

High-ranking international and local officials will attend a reception ceremony at the Presidency, from which Serb and Croat officials are expected to be absent.