Serbia Apologised for the Bombing of Dubrovnik

Adelina Marini, July 12, 2014

It is great that we have all gathered here in Dubrovnik - bombed and destroyed during the war, which Serbia absolutely condemns. Hardly someone expected to hear precisely this during the ninth consecutive Croatia Forum, dedicated this year to the European integration of the Western Balkans and precisely from a Serbian official. The words belong to the first deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic, uttered during the round table in the end of the forum when elected officials discussed the situation in the Balkans with experts and analysts. And although it was surprising, Mr Dacic's statement was a logical finale of an event during which everyone were unusually open and blunt.

Asked by euinside whether this was the crown achievement of this very successful forum, Croatia's first deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic was reserved and said she welcomed the statement but pointed out that it definitely is not a crown achievement. The time of apologies is over but this statement shows how dramatically relations have changed in the region.

You can watch the statements of both ministers in the attached video files. Subtitles in English are available.