Awards "Mostar Peace Connection" and "Mimar Mira"

On the anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge, International Peace Prize "Mostar Peace Connection" will be given by former French President Jacques Chirac, the post-war European administrators Mostar, Sir Martin Garrod, Hans Koschnick and Ricard Perez Casado, former Director General of UNESCO Federico Mayor Zaragoza and the Chief Prosecutor Hague tribunal Serge Brammertz. Awards "Mimar Peace" took this year's winners Vahid Halilhodzic, Senad Hadžifejzović and Sergio Šotrić.

In addition to the award of the prize was founded and "The Mostar Declaration of Peace" because of the efforts of those working on the preservation of peace and stability in the region, but tonight it was signed by Chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić and his guest, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

The event began joint crossing the Old Bridge and the symbolic throwing flowers into the Neretva pay tribute to all victims of war.

In his opening address to the guests, director of the Center for Peace Safet Oručević said work on peace and reconciliation, sometimes a lot more difficult than even the war. The pain of reconciliation is sometimes much stronger and bigger than all the pain of war. But our generation is obliged to endure the pain, for the good of the new generations. Even today, many open wounds, many victims waiting for justice. But, despite everything, we do not have the right to stop the process of reconciliation, we have no right to return to the past because that would be the way to a new tragedy for all our peoples.

Claude Chirac, daughter of former French President Jacques Chirac, read a letter to his father and his congratulations to the Centre for Peace in the effort to preserve the peace.

In a letter to Chirac, among other states: Old Bridge must find its symbolic side of the port, which is approaching the nations that together make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. United Bosnia which takes its place in the region and that Europe should lend a hand. At the moment. Bosnia and Herzegovina was for centuries an example of tolerance. It can and should it again become. It was her past, I am convinced that it is their future. I am convinced that this is the future of the whole of Europe.

In the video message, former director of UNESCO Federico Mayor Zaragoza said that the Old Bridge most prestigious heritage that must be kept as a symbol of peace, cooperation and good neighborliness.

Center for Peace and thanked the family of posthumous laureate Hans Koshnicka and Sir Martin Garrod, who are your lifetime dedicated to building peace. Daughter of Sir Garrod read their speech in the Bosnian language and concluded: For our father, you were never just the people who live in a distant country, you were never a small country that was heard a few people, have never been just a country torn by war. You were then and now is people.

Guests were addressed by former EU administrator of Mostar Ricard Perez Casado, said that the image of the Old Bridge, which is 20 years ago brought from Mostar still in that place in his house in Spain and that is behind us twenty years of common hope, hope of peace and coexistence.Thanks for the award "Mostar Peace Connection" Chief ICTY prosecutor Serge Brammertz said that in this way today confirms the commitment to peace and that this place symbolizes that spirit.

"Multi-ethnicity was destroyed in the war, but was again ideally constructed with the help of all. My office has tried to play its role in the restoration process. ICTY will soon close its doors. We have achieved important results, but we could do more. We count on the state prosecutor's office to take this important work. they are not only victims who need justice. Without peace and reconciliation of society are doomed to be frozen in the conflict. we hope that the next generation will be different, that we will leave a legacy of peace and reconciliation, "said Brammertz.

Guests were then addressed by the winners of this year's "Mimar Peace", Senad Hadžifejzović, Sergio Šotrić and Vahid Halilhodzic.

"I am a child of this city, I contributed a lot to come to some peace talks, but I'm afraid that will not only make peace policy in this city. It should include a wider society. I know that in this city there are many people from all three sides who want that peace, we are condemned to live together. There are many who do not want it. Gentlemen, you politicians is to work on that. Because if you get rid of Mostar, will be solved and many other things in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond "said Halilhodzic.

Sergio Šotrić is said that the award recognizes an obligation to continue to work on reconciliation in Mostar. "We can not leave this up to politicians, required all of us to overcome this river," said Šotrić and Senad Hadžifejzović short jokingly commented that it was "high time to get a prize from the neighborhood," alluding mischievously at his second home address in Blagaj.

• 24 Jul, 2016
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