EU to Help Bring Perpetrators of Srebrenica Massacre to Justice

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker welcomed the fact that the Serbian prime minister decided to attend the commemoration ceremony in Srebrenica's Potocari Memorial.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — The European Union will help to prosecute those responsible for the 1995 killings in the town of Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said Saturday.

Saturday, July 11, marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic events in the Muslim-majority town of the mainly Serb eastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In July 1995, some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed in Srebrenica after the town was occupied by units of the army of Republika Srpska under the command of Gen. Ratko Mladic.

"We confirm our strong commitment to help bring the perpetrators to justice. European integration starts with justice. It continues with reconciliation between nations and their joint work on a common project of peace, security and prosperity,” Juncker said in a statement.

In this regard, Juncker particularly welcomed the fact that the Serbian prime minister decided to attend the commemoration ceremony in Srebrenica's Potocari Memorial.

“His decision is an example of the forward-looking approach that is required for the countries of the region to move ahead on their path to the European Union, where their future firmly lies,” Juncker added.

Up to 70,000 people were expected to take part in Saturday's commemoration to victims of the Srebrenica massacre, according to the event organizing committee.

UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has indicted a total of 20 individuals for the crimes committed in Srebrenica.

On Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry called for all individuals responsible for the massacre in Srebrenica to be brought to justice.