THE latest meeting of the European Communist Youth Organisations (MECYO) was held in Belgrade, Serbia, last weekend, November 26 and 27.

Two delegates from Britain’s Young Communist League attended the meeting alongside representatives of 21 revolutionary youth organisations. 

It was the first meeting of MECYO since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic. 

The young communists came together to share experiences and discuss key issues facing the workers’ movement across Europe.

On Saturday, delegates took part in a demonstration in central Belgrade held under the banner: “Hope lies in the people’s struggle — against capitalist exploitation and imperialist wars — for socialism.”

Nearly 100 protesters took part in a march along Knez Mihailova street in the capital, chanting slogans against Nato, ending in a rally at Republic Square.

The protesters were joined by members of the New Communist Party of Yugoslavia (NKPJ) alongside the Communists of Serbia party. The rally was addressed by NKPJ general secretary Aleksandar Banjanac.

On Sunday delegates agreed a declaration that denounced anti-communist repression in the EU and reissued solidarity with comrades Mikhail and Aleksander Kononovich. The brothers are members of the League of Communist Youth of Ukraine who have been detained as political prisoners by the Ukrainian regime.

The declaration also demanded the closure of military bases and a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Young Communist League delegates also held a bilateral meeting with Jan Hlavati, the general secretary of the League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (SKOJ) in Montenegro to discuss recent political unrest in the country. 

YCL delegates supported a statement denouncing the Nato occupation of Kosovo and Metohia.

YCL international officer Pierre Marshall said: “We were glad of the opportunity to discuss political questions with so many friendly organisations. Thanks to our Serbian and Montenegrin comrades for hosting us.”