First World War centenary marked by 30 countries

PARIS — For the 100th anniversary of the First World War, officials from about 30 countries are meeting in Paris to plan four years of commemorative events.

At least 8.5 million soldiers are believed to have perished in the 1914-18 war.

France, where the majority of Western Front fighting took place, is taking a leading role in the preparations.

Senior officials from countries including the U.S., Britain and Australia were gathering Thursday under the Arc de Triomphe for a ceremonial re-lighting of the eternal flame that marks the tomb of France’s unknown soldier.

Meetings continue Friday under the golden dome of the 17th-century Invalides monument, hosted by France’s veterans’ affairs minister, Kader Arif.

French President Francois Hollande is to unveil details of the commemorations on Nov. 8.

The Australian minister for veterans’ affairs, Michael Ronaldson, said it was important that participants “start defining where we all want each other to be and when.”

“We’ll be talking about those key events that everyone wants to commemorate. We’ll be talking about what the hopes and aspirations of each country are” regarding the different commemoration events, Ronaldson told The Associated Press.

Each nation has their own significant wartime events.

Australia and New Zealand, for example put particular emphasis on the 1915 battle of Gallipoli, where their joint force was defeated by the Ottoman Turks.

“The fact that we do all have different periods we want to commemorate is important,” Ronaldson said.

“I think that will make it work as opposed to detract from it.”