Tadic Letter

The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, has written to President Boris Tadic of Serbia about Serbia’s cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Mr Schwarz-Schilling drew President Tadic’s attention to the level of discussion and debate in Bosnia and Herzegovina generated by the ICJ judgment and highlighted that the ICJ recognised that Serbia violated its obligations under international law to prevent the genocide that took place in and around Srebrenica. He pointed out that the Court found that Serbia must immediately take steps to ensure full cooperation with ICTY.

In his letter, the High Representative wrote that he was encouraged by recent media statements made by President Tadic concerning ICTY cooperation.

Most recently, President Tadic underlined his commitment to full ICTY cooperation in a statement following a regional meeting of Heads of State in Ohrid on 20 April.

Mr Schwarz-Schilling stated: “Against this background, I very much hope that Serbia, which is a party to the Dayton Peace Agreement, will at last comply with these obligations in full and without delay.”

The High Representative went on to ask President Tadic to inform him of measures taken in relation to ICTY cooperation, pointing out that he would be reporting in the coming weeks to the UN Security Council on the current status of peace implementation.

HR-EUSR Meets CoM Chair and Entity PMs On Practical Steps For Srebrenica

The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, will meet with the Chair of the BiH Council of Ministers, Nikola Spiric, FBiH Prime Minister Nedzad Brankovic and RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik at the OHR in Sarajevo tomorrow.

The HR-EUSR aims to prepare the ground for the meeting next week of all the relevant agencies involved in improving the situation in Srebrenica.

The CoM Chair and the Entity Prime Ministers will have a crucial role in ensuring practical steps that will accelerate justice, ensure a sustainable return process and improve the quality of life in Srebrenica and the surrounding areas are taken.

There wil be a media opportunity after tomorrow’s meeting, at 13.15 at the OHR in Sarajevo.