Head of OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Berton pays respect to civilian war victims at Žepče memorial

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Bruce G. Berton, leading a delegation of Mission staff, lay a wreath of flowers at a memorial for civilian war victims in Žepče on 12 October 2018, and paid respect to all civilians who lost their lives in the 1992-1995 war in the country.

The memorial was built as a result of efforts of the Žepče Association of Civilian War Victims and its construction was supported by the local municipal authorities.

Ambassador Berton also met with the Mayor of Žepče, Speaker of Žepče Municipal Council and other city officials to mark the “Day of the Municipality of Žepče”, which is held annually on 14 October.

“Žepče represents a community whose citizens and leaders have invested tremendous efforts towards reconciliation and co-existence after the tragedies of the 1990s,” said Ambassador Berton. “Last year’s decision by the authorities here to build a memorial to the civilian victims of war symbolizes these efforts and we commend the local authorities for jointly paying their respect to the victims.”

He added that the OSCE Mission remains a reliable partner of the country in its efforts to achieve full reconciliation, for the benefit of all of its citizens.