began with a visit to the
Srebrenica Memorial Centre
where he heard about the Centre’s efforts to create a long
lasting, world renowned place of research and history. In his
meeting with young people working at the Memorial Centre he
emphasised the vital role of this institution in ‘helping all of
us to understand what happened, how to explain it, how to build
dialogue and how to learn lessons to prevent any repeat’.
In Sarajevo, met with a range of government
and non-governmental representatives, as well as the
representatives of the International Community including
Commander of the EUFOR General Major Habermayer and the Head of
the EU Delegation/EUSR Sattler. In separate calls with
BiH Presidency
Chairman Zeljko Komsic and member Denis Becirovic, he reiterated
the UK’s continued support to BiH’s Euro-Atlantic path and to
BiH efforts towards
greater security, stability and prosperity for all. In
conversation with Mayor Karic and the Sarajevo City Assembly
Speaker Jasmin Ademovic welcomed their initiative to
support victims of GBV across the country and to promote greater
protection for vulnerable groups.
At the conclusion of his visit, noted the experience and
commitment to the country’s progress shown by civil society and
some political leaders. He encouraged his interlocutors to remain
committed to constructive cooperation, dialogue and compromise,
as the only way to deliver for citizens.
reflected on his visit saying:
As I depart from my visit to BiH, I urge all in government to
continue the positive momentum for all citizens. In our disturbed
world, now more than ever, we should work together on our values
and a better future. Not to give in and join in ethnic division,
hate speech and those who revel in the past. The young people of
this country deserve a better future.
