European authorities: The genocide of Serbrenica, one of the darkest periods in the history of Europe

The head of European diplomacy and the commissioner for enlargement in the European Union commission, in a joint statement, declared: "The Serbrenica genocide is one of the darkest periods in the history of Europe."

The Anadolu news agency reported that the European Union (EU) commemorated those killed in the Srebrenica genocide and declared that the genocide committed 29 years ago was "one of the darkest moments in modern European history".

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi made a joint written statement on the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

The statement commemorates the more than 8,300 men systematically killed in Srebrenica and states: "The genocide that took place 29 years ago is one of the darkest moments in modern European history."

The statement calls on regional leaders to "reject divisive rhetoric and act with truth, justice, trust and dialogue".

"To heal the wounds of the past, the historical facts must be acknowledged and learned, the victims honored and remembered, the missing identified and all perpetrators brought to justice. This is the key to confronting the roots of hatred that led to genocide. Together we must build bridges of reconciliation. There is no place among us for those who deny genocide, try to rewrite history and glorify war criminals," the EU officials said in a statement.

It was also recalled that the EU Council decided to start accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, adding: "This is an important opportunity to make progress on reforms that will develop democracy, well-being and security for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to bring the country closer to EU membership".