The central ceremony was held at the Srijem Front memorial area near Sid, while Serbia and Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic represented the country at the celebration in Moscow.
At Belgrade's Yugoslav History Museum, Serbian President Boris Tadic opened an exhibition dedicated to the 60th anniversary of victory over fascism, saying that crimes must be be talked about regardless of who committed them.
"Both the victims and the criminals must always be identified, whether it's happening to us at the hands of others or if it's happening to others at our hands. This issue is essential for the democratic and overall future of this country," said Tadic.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said that the divisions from the Second World War must remain "an issue of the past".
"Today, on Victory Day, descendants are expressing deep gratitude to the heroes and defenders of the homeland without dividing them by the symbols under which they defended their countries and gave their lives. We are leaving behind the misfortune of a civil war and mutual rifts by paying due respect to all who died in the battle against fascism," said Kostunica.
At a ceremony in Novi Sad, Vojvodina Parliament Speaker Bojan Kostres said "the best medicine and the best prevention against the resurgence of fascism is cooperation with neighbours because this also means cooperation with Europe".
The nongovernmental organisation Women in Black issued a statement saying that Serbia "must face the past and the crimes which were committed on behalf of its citizens in the wars on the territory of the former Yugoslavia". "All groups, their leaders and inspirers who promote the destructive values of fascism in any way must be sanctioned," the NGO said.