EU message to Serbia: In Europe, there is no place for denying genocide

There is no room in Europe for denying genocide and cloning war criminals, says the joint declaration of EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner Oliver Varhely, on the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

This statement, which honours the victims of this genocide, says that “remains together, in grief, with their relatives and friends surviving genocide”.

According to Borrell and Warhely, peace cannot still be taken for granted.

Russia's unjustified and untested aggression against Ukraine has restored a brutal war on our continent”.

It is more than ever our duty to remember the Srebrenica genocide as part of our common European history”, the joint statement said.

The statement says that mass killings and war crimes in Ukraine bring vivid memories of those who witnessed in the Western Balkans in the 1990s.

EU representatives said they saw Europe's security and stability and international order based on rules, and that this shows the need to stand up to protect peace, human dignity and universal values.

“Europe has not forgotten what happened in Srebrenica and our responsibility to be unable to prevent and stop genocide. In Srebrenica, Europe failed and we have faced our shame”, the statement said.

EU representatives said they want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress in compliance with overcoming past heritage and Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress on its path to EU integration.

Political leaders must turn words into deeds: They must choose truth, justice and co-operation instead of fear and hatred to overcome the tragic legacy of the past and build a brighter and prosperous future for future generations”, the statement says. / REL