Brussels, 11/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - Paying tribute to the victims of Srebrenica on Friday 11 July - the 19th anniversary of the genocide - the European Union called on “those in positions of authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina to lead in honouring victims and promoting reconciliation”. “It is essential for the establishment of a conducive social and political environment in which Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to fulfil its European ambitions, founded on peace, stability and prosperity for all citizens”, stated the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The EEAS reaffirmed its support for the continuing efforts to establish the truth about the war crimes committed throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Srebrenica's crimes cannot be denied and perpetrators must be brought to justice”, the EEAS underlined. “The insistence on this assures the families of the victims that their suffering is not forgotten and over time contributes to the healing of Bosnia and Herzegovina's war-torn society”, it added.
In a joint press release, the UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague and Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave their firm support to those in Bosnia who want to build a peaceful, united and prosperous future. Hague and Steinmeier said they totally rejected the efforts of those who try to change history and deny the rich and diverse ethnic composition of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or who work to undermine the country's territorial integrity. They added that the redefining of borders in the Balkans is over.
In July 1995, several days before the end of the war, the Serbian forces of Bosnia killed around 8,000 Muslim men and young people in Srebenica. The killings were the most terrible in Europe since the Second World War. (CG)