Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published
Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10–11 July to attend a memorial ceremony marking the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. Thirty years have passed since the genocide and the subsequent conclusion of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which brought the war to an end.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard togheter with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Photo: Ministry for Foreign Affairs
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard togheter with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Photo: Embassy of Denmark in Sarajevo
On 11 July, the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, Ms Malmer Stenergard attended a ceremony held annually in the community of Potočari, near Srebrenica. Among those participating were survivors and relatives of the victims, heads of state and government, and other ministers and dignitaries. This included President of the European Council António Costa, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Cos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary Di Carlo, Sophie, Dutchess of Edinburgh, and former President of Germany Joachim Gauck.
Ms Malmer Stenergard stressed the particular importance of accountability, recognition of the suffering of the victims and their relatives, and support for the survivors. She also emphasised that Sweden co-signed the UN Resolution adopted last year to establish 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.
During the previous day, Ms Malmer Stenergard met with Bosnian Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković to discuss current bilateral and foreign policy issues, and Bosnia’s progress towards EU membership. She also attended an opening reception at the new Danish Embassy in Sarajevo and visited Gallery 11/07/95 and the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Exhibition – a photo exhibition on the victims and city aimed at conveying a sense of what took place in connection with the genocide.
