Austrian expert: “Balkan countries have to face with their past”
05/12/2017 19:30
The Washington Agreement Must Be Reactivated! 06/01 19:04
Wolfgang Petritsch, former high-level representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, said that the Balkan countries must face each other’s history, now that the Court of Hague for War Crimes in former Yugoslavia has completed its duty.
He considers “unforgivable” the security mistakes which led to the suicide of the war criminal, Slobodan Praljak, the expert said for Deutsche Welle that the Hague Court made a good job for war crimes in former Yugoslavia.
According to the Austrian Social-Democrat, the region needs to work for reconciliation. Petritsch thinks that after the international court has completed its job, the rule of law and national courts need to be stronger.
Their task should be not only to fight corruption, but also to continue processes for war crimes.
According to him, every country should be facing with the past, either they see themselves as victims or they are seen as criminals.
As for the claims of some politicians, who want to change existing borders, Petritsch says that discussing borders would cause new tragedies. He adds that the cooperation with Europe should be an absolute priority, especially for Serbs, because: “They can be really united only in a United Europe”.
“A multi-ethnic unification, such as former Yugoslavia, will not be created anymore. Positive effects can only be achieved through a wider Europe. This vision should be installed in the hearts and minds of the people”, Petritsch said for Deutsche Welle.
Top Channel
