20/07/2011 President
Strasbourg, 20.07.2011 – Following the arrest today of Goran Hadzic, the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu made the following statement:
“The arrest of Goran Hadzic is excellent news, and I congratulate the Serbian authorities on this important step – which our Assembly has long been calling for. Together with the arrest of Ratko Mladic less than two months ago, this sends a strong signal that Serbia is at last fulfilling its commitment to bring to justice those who committed awful crimes in the dark years of the war.
As Hadzic is the last indictee sought by the Hague Tribunal, this completes a long process, allowing Serbia and other countries in the region to come to terms with the past, for justice is also part of reconciliation. It also gives a boost to Serbia’s EU prospects. Today was a good day for justice and for Serbia.
Many other crimes were committed by all sides during the war and its aftermath, however, and there is still work to be done. In many cases, it will be up to local authorities and courts to carry on this urgent task. I wish them well.”