STA, 11 July 2021 - Speaker Igor Zorčič and the Foreign Ministry paid tribute on Sunday to the victims of the Srebrenica massacre, which took place 26 years ago. The ministry said that relativisation or denial of the tragic event was unacceptable as Zorčič highlighted the role of Slovenia's EU presidency in efforts to achieve reconciliation in the Western Balkans.
Marking Srebrenica Memorial Day, which is observed on 11 July, the ministry pointed out that the anniversary was a warning to reawaken and preserve the memory of the victims and horrors that happened during the Bosnian War.
"Srebrenica will not and should not be forgotten - reconciliation is possible only if we remember and acknowledge the suffering and pain of the people. Denying or relativising these tragic events is unacceptable," the ministry wrote in a press release.
The Western Balkans region is still heavily burdened by memories and a painful historical experience, the ministry said, adding that reconciliation processes should be stepped up as that was the only way for all generations to fulfil their potential and contribute to the well-being, stability and security of the region.
"The strengthening of reconciliation and cooperation is of great value for the progress of all countries in the region on their European path. Slovenia strives for a conciliation process for the Western Balkan region's stability within the framework of its foreign policy priorities and as an EU presiding country," the press release reads.
Parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič also stressed the role of the Slovenian EU presidency in the efforts to effect reconciliation in the region.
"The European Union will have, with the help of Slovenia as the EU presiding country, the best opportunity in the next six months to take a step forward towards the integration of Western Balkan countries. Only a joint, European future will be a lasting guarantee for stability and peace in the region and Europe," he wrote.
All of us together, countries in the Western Balkans and the EU, owe this to the Srebrenica victims. We owe this to our children and the generations yet unborn so that they could live in harmony and peace in this area, he added.
