„Being here in Belgrade gives me the opportunity to congratulate President Tadic and the Serbian authorities on the arrest of Mr Mladic this morning.

I’ve discussed with President Tadic on a number of occasions his commitment to wanting to see Mr Mladic brought to justice, so it’s important that we see that ambition realized today.

It’s of course a very important day for international justice and for the rule of law.

Mr Mladic will now face the charges against him in the International Tribunal; charges which are of course of a very serious nature.

And we think back to events in Sarajevo and perhaps especially in Srebrenica. So today more than ever I think about the families and friends of the victims of the conflict and I feel it is really important that we remember them and think of them especially.

I know that people will also be thinking about Serbia and its future in the European Union.

What I know is that we will approach that with renewed energy because of today.

And I look at the messages coming out of Brussels and European capitals to Serbia and hope that we will be able to move forward swiftly.“

Remarks by HRVP Ashton at joint press conference with President Tadic:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/122243.pdf