Ibrahimović: The work of the Hague Tribunal made a significant contribution to the satisfaction of justice for the victims and their families

The work of the Hague Tribunal made a significant contribution to the satisfaction of justice for the victims and their families and to dealing with the past of the countries of the former Yugoslavia, announced Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced that today Ibrahimovic met with the Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Serge Bramerca, who is visiting Montenegro.

Ibrahimović said that Montenegro is committed to respecting international obligations in this area, and that it continuously cooperates with the Residual Mechanism.

"I believe that it is in the interest of the region and the international community as a whole that the Mechanism fully fulfills its mission. The work of the Hague Tribunal made a significant contribution to the satisfaction of justice for the victims and their families and to dealing with the past of the countries of the former Yugoslavia," Ibrahimović said, stressing that the upcoming there is still a lot of work to be done, but that war crimes do not expire and that the prosecution of all committed crimes must be persevered.

In the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is stated that the minister "recalled the continuous efforts of Montenegro in terms of strengthening the rule of law, reforming the judiciary, strengthening national capacities for the prosecution of all forms of criminal acts, including war crimes."

"The processing of war crimes is part of the negotiation framework for EU membership, through Chapter 23, and after receiving a positive IBAR, this issue is also part of the concluding criteria for this chapter," said Ibrahimović.

The MFA said that Bramerc expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with Montenegrin institutions and the attitude towards the work, mission and goals of international criminal tribunals.

"There is evident new momentum and commitment to the prosecution of war crimes in Montenegro, and the Mechanism is ready to provide all the necessary expert and technical support in order to strengthen administrative capacities, which will also contribute to the fulfillment of obligations from the negotiation process with the EU," Bramerc said.

Along these lines, the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds, Bramerc welcomed the progress towards full membership in the Union, primarily receiving a positive IBAR, which is a confirmation of Montenegro's commitment to reforms in key chapters.

"During the conversation, the dangers brought about by the trends of denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals in the region were also mentioned, and the interlocutors assessed that facing the past, through the individualization of guilt, the prosecution of crimes and the building of a culture of memory, is the only safe way for further development and prosperity the state of the former Yugoslavia", concludes the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.