The issue of reconciliation relates to the entire region. Recently approved EU Enlargement Strategy for the Western Balkans, clearly says “that regional cooperation and good neighborhood relations are of crucial importance for the progress in the EU integration,” EU High Representative Spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic told Danas daily.
Along with the improved regional cooperation, further efforts towards reconciliation are crucial for preservation of peace and lasting stability in the region. All countries have to commit to it, with words and actions, to overcome the legacy of the past by achieving reconciliation and resolving open issues much prior to joining the EU, Kocijancic further added.
She also pointed out the stance of the European Commission that “regional cooperation, good neighborhood relations and reconciliation cannot be imposed from outside, but that leaders in the region must take a full role in it,” daily wrote.
Kocijancic said that civil society has an important role to help people understand and face the past. This is why the European Commission offers long-term support to the civil society across the region. It also includes support to establish the RECOM Coalition.
Although it is up to the leaders in the region to act, we believe RECOM could be a significant element in the reconciliation process across the region, she added.
RECOM Coalition pledges for the establishment of a regional commission for establishing facts on war crimes and other serious violations of human rights committed in the territory of former Yugoslavia from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 2011 that would contribute to the process of reconciliation in the region Danas daily reported.
Presidents of Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosniac member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency appointed personal envoys to draft agreement on RECOM establishment, that PMs from the post-Yugoslav countries would sign in the summit within Berlin process in London in July this year, thus creating conditions that RECOM Statute enters into force.
Only Presidents of Croatia and Slovenia did not appoint personal envoys yet, Danas daily reported.
