President Erdoğan: “Inshallah, we will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina with all our means, just as we have stood with our Bosnian brothers and sisters throughout history, in good times as well as in bad. We will neither forget nor allow the Srebrenica genocide to be forgotten, which was committed 27 years ago before the eyes of the whole world and European militaries.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a written message to the memorial ceremony held at the old battery factory on the 27th anniversary of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The message was read by AK Party Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmuş, who attended the ceremony.
President Erdoğan stated that while Srebrenica victims were still trying to learn the fate of their children and relatives, it was shameful for humanity that those who played a role in the genocide entered a race to acquit themselves instead of engaging in genuine confrontation.
In his message, President Erdoğan said: “On the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, a black stain in European history, where human dignity was trampled on, we once again feel the pain of our Bosnian brothers and sisters. After 27 years, today I commemorate our martyrs whom we sent off to eternity, and all our sacred martyrs with mercy. May our martyrs’ souls rest in peace in heaven. On behalf of myself and my nation, I extend my condolences to the grieving relatives of our martyrs and our Bosnian brothers and sisters.
Emphasising that although it has been more than a quarter of a century since the genocide, their pain was still as fresh as it was on the first day, President Erdoğan noted in his message:
“With every discovered mass grave, with every martyr we see off, our grief and pain grow.
While Srebrenica victims are still trying to learn the fate of their children and relatives, it is shameful for humanity that those who played a role in the genocide enter a race to acquit themselves instead of engaging in genuine confrontation. We reject with sadness the moves aimed at belittling the crime of genocide, ignoring the suffering of our Bosnian brothers and sisters, and insulting the cherished memory of our martyrs.
Ensuring the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a strong and prosperous country within the boundaries of its territorial integrity is our duty to the martyrs we lost in Srebrenica and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this understanding, Türkiye provides all necessary support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s security, prosperity, and bright future.
There is no doubt that generations of young people are the guarantee of a peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian youth are a source of hope for their country with their efforts, achievements, and commitment to shaping the future without forgetting the past. As in other fields, Türkiye continues to contribute to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s educational infrastructure.
Inshallah, we will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina with all our means, just as we have stood with our Bosnian brothers and sisters throughout history, in good times as well as in bad. We will neither forget nor allow the Srebrenica genocide to be forgotten, which was committed 27 years ago before the eyes of the whole world and European militaries.
With these sentiments, I wish Allah’s mercy on our martyrs and patience for their grieving mothers, relatives, and all my Bosnian brothers and sisters. I greet you once again with respect and convey my most heartfelt condolences to each of you on behalf of myself and my nation.”