Vucevic: Srebrenica resolution has essentially suffered debacle

BELGRADE/BANJALUKA - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said on Thursday evening the Srebrenica resolution brought no good and that, even though it had been formally adopted in the UN General Assembly, it had essentially suffered a debacle.

Speaking to Republika Srpska public broadcaster RTRS, Vucevic said the resolution would not contribute to reconciliation or stronger ties between nations and states in the region.

"It is a political debacle for those who did that. Both Serbia and Srpska should hold their heads up high. We are not a genocidal nation, we are not bad people either. We should work more and fight for ourselves politically, and there is no giving up on that," Vucevic said, adding that he was proud of the togetherness between Serbia and Republika Srpska, the Srna news agency reported.

In spite of massive campaigning, blackmailing and everything that was done in the past several days to ensure the resolution is passed and the Serbs stigmatised, Serbia and Republika Srpska, alongside two thirds of humanity and a majority of the world's countries, demonstrated the truth loud and clear, Vucevic said.

Vucevic noted that the resolution provided the foundation for other nations, including the Serbs, to seek resolutions condemning genocides committed against them.

Vucevic thanked Hungary - an EU and NATO member state - its PM Viktor Orban and Hungarians for Hungary's vote against the resolution, and also expressed gratitude to Greece, Cyprus and Slovakia, which are also members of the blocs, for abstaining.

Commenting on Serbia's neighbours that voted in favour, Vucevic said everyone was "doing their job" and that their "disgrace will last forever."

He said the UNGA vote reflected serious geopolitical changes that were underway.

"Serbia, Republika Srpska and the Serbs are not alone," he said.

The UNGA adopted the Srebrenica resolution with 84 votes for, 19 votes against and 68 abstentions.

The number of abstentions and votes against outnumbered the votes in favour as only 43 per cent of UNGA member states voted for the resolution, while as many as 57 per cent voted against or abstained.