We have discussed today the recent draft UN resolution on Srebrenica. The previous statements by Commissioner Várhelyi are in full respect of the victims and have in no way questioned the facts concerning the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995.
The facts of the genocide in Srebrenica have been legally established by, among others, the International Court of Justice.
The Commissioner's statements clarified that the perpetrators bear full and sole responsibility for the crimes they committed. Any notion of collective guilt or collective responsibility of a whole nation is unacceptable and against internationally accepted norms.
The crimes committed shall never be forgotten to avoid that they are ever repeated against anyone. Reconciliation can only be built upon truth, peace, and upon justice. There can be no tolerance for genocide denial, historical revisionism, and glorification of war criminals.
Commissioner Várhelyi is one of the strongest supporters of the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union. We have worked together in recent years for a prosperous and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina. The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the European Union as a single, united and sovereign country.
Based on the recommendation of the European Commission, in December 2022 Bosnia and Herzegovina received candidate status and in March 2024 the European Council decided to open accession negotiations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina must continue implementing its EU reform agenda and Commissioner Várhelyi is committed to fully support this process.
