High Rep for N1: Intl community is committed to Dayton Agreement

Schmidt began by saying that every young person should come to the Srebrenica Memorial Center, as it is a place of learning and remembrance for all.

“This year marks 30 years since the genocide in Srebrenica, in Potocari. And I invited that we hear as well about the development of the commemoration center as a teaching and remembering place for everybody, not for any ethnic group excluded. Everybody, every young person should come", he said.

He added that the OHR wants to support young Bosniaks, Serbs, and others to live together in Srebrenica.

“I believe I said that we have a commemoration, but also an obligation. Because all this happened here—tragically—because the international community reacted too late. We discussed how to prevent anything similar from happening in the future. So this will also be a programmatic discussion. Where shall young people in Bosnia-Herzegovina stay? Outside or here? And I have to say if I see the population decrease in Srebrenica, this is not a good sign for nobody, anybody here, any group to live. So, we would like to support that young people of Bosniak people, young Serb people and others that they can live together here, build a life here and build the opportunities for them", he said.

Asked to comment on the fact that the Memorial Center had to close for several days because its staff did not feel safe, he said:

“I have been here some weeks ago just to reassure the staff and Emir Suljagic that we are supportive and that we will do everything  that this site will be opened again... I have to say it's good that today I will be together with the EUFOR commander, together with the ambassadors to show that this is not only an empty word, but this is we feel necessity to safeguard everybody to have an open space here".

When asked how to deal with genocide deniers and fugitives from justice, Schmidt replied:

"Education, education, education, open discussion and trying and working with everybody to see that the never again is the key wording. This is not easy, but I have to say if I look at some cases, you remember what we had in curricula in school books, just recently decided by the Constitutional Court about a school book in Republika Sapska, this is not the way. Teaching does not mean glorification of former generals. It does only mean just truth and drawing the right conclusions".

He said he had no problems arriving in Srebrenica.

Schmidt was then asked whether anyone whould be negotiating with the president of BiH's Republika Srpska (RS) entity, Milorad Dodik, who is subject to an arrest warrant in the country.

“I would say that’s something the judiciary must address. I myself was once an experienced lawyer, and I remember that the best thing is to engage with procedures. But this is not an agreement between anyone—it must remain within the institutions.”

When asked whether there were discussions on EUFOR helping police agencies in BiH regarding this matter, Schmidt said:

“When it comes to suspects, yes. I am here for civilian implementation. I see that SIPA (state police) is again active in RS. How should I put this? Let’s wait and see.”

Schmidt also commented on whether other countries will impose sanctions on Dodik, after Germany and Austria did so.

“I hear that some countries are considering how to follow the same path. And I am somewhat optimistic. It’s a sign to say: this is not the way to cooperate in the future. If we see that the European Council is discussing this, that’s good news, because that is also a precondition to resolving this issue—this attack on the Constitution—so that negotiations can be opened with Bosnia and Herzegovina on European integration. And it is so important that I see a strong commitment from the European Union. I would like to thank the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who was here and—I would say—remarkably outspoken about this issue.”