No. 72/08
July 22, 2008

EUROPEAN UNION REACTS TO THE ARREST OF RADOVAN KARADZIC 

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso (left), has welcomed the news of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic's arrest: "This is a very positive development that will contribute to bringing justice and lasting reconciliation in the Western Balkans. It proves the determination of the new Serbian government to achieve full cooperation with the ICTY [International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]. It is also very important for Serbia's European aspirations."

Javier Solana (right), EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said in a statement that: "[It] is very important that somebody like Radovan Karadzic will be in front of the [ICTY] having a fair trial. Considering that the presidential and the parliamentary elections in Serbia took place not long ago, I think that the Serb authorities have proven that they will cooperate fully with the international tribunal and that is something I welcome very much...Today I want to congratulate the Serbian government. It is a good day for the Balkans and for reconciliation in the Balkans, to have Radovan Karadzic standing trial."

Further Contact Information:
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
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Washington, DC 20037
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