Slovakia Abstains from UN Vote on Srebrenica Genocide

Bratislava, May 23 (TASR) - Slovakia abstained from the vote on the UN resolution concerning the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, with the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry explaining this move with the need to maintain stability in western Balkans, TASR learnt from the ministry press department on Thursday. The ministry pointed out that the passing of the resolution without consensus of the UN member states sets a historical precedent. "This is not the time for having such a document passed. Our goal is to focus on the prevention of another inter-ethnic escalation and promote reconciliation and mutual trust, which, however, cannot be imposed from the outside," claimed chief of diplomacy Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). In Blanar's view, the resolution might have adverse effect in the current climate. The ministry criticised the fact that the initiative was not preceded by societal and inter-religious dialogue in the region and the country where the genocide had taken place. "With such a sensitive topic as genocide, the resolution should be passed with a consensus of the member states, the way it happened with two previous resolutions concerning the commemoration of the Holocaust and the genocide in Rwanda," claimed Blanar. The ministry declared that Slovakia always stands on the side of compliance with international law. It fully respects the UN Charter and verdicts of two international courts that confirmed that genocide was committed. Blanar pointed out that the ministry also supports the European integration of the western Balkan states and finds it a right decision to open EU accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the resolution won't contribute towards the amelioration of tensions in the western Balkans or support its European orientation. Earlier on Thursday, the UN General Assembly approved the resolution to make July 11 the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide. The proposal has elicited criticism from Serbia and Bosnian Serbs. mf/mcs