Prince Charles to visit Sarajevo and Srebrenica in March

REUTERS

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 17-18, 2020, the British Embassy in Bosnia said on Tuesday, adding that he will thus mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

“His Royal Highness will undertake engagements in Sarajevo and Srebrenica. A key element will be a visit to the memorial at Srebrenica to mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide. His Royal Highness will pay his respects to the victims, accompanied by a number of survivors, including mothers who are still looking for their missing family members,” the Embassy said.

They added that Prine Charles previously met families of the missing from Bosnia, and across the region at Clarence House in 2017 and again in 2018.

In both Srebrenica and Sarajevo, The Prince will have the opportunity to hear about the progress that has been made in finding the remaining people from across the region, who are still missing, the Embassy said.

“The visit of The Prince of Wales to Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrates the UK’s increased commitment to Bosnia and the Western Balkans region, its support for reforms to improve citizens’ lives and create a brighter future; as well as His Royal Highness’s own long-standing commitment to post-conflict reconciliation in the Western Balkans,” the Embassy noted.

According to them, The Prince will call on Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, and meet local leaders from business, politics, culture, civil society, and the Armed Forces. Prince Charles will also meet religious leaders in the country, in recognition of their work on reconciliation and building understanding across communities.

He will also learn about how the UK has been supporting survivors of wartime sexual violence, helping them overcome the stigma that they and their families face, the embassy statement said.

“His Royal Highness will meet UK military personnel involved in securing a safe and secure environment in Bosnia, and bolstering the Bosnia-UK defence relationship,” the statement added.

The Embassy also wrote the Prince will meet with representatives from other spheres of life, such as entrepreneurs, artisans, NGOs and others who are working on improving the socio-economic situation in the country.

Prince Charles last visited Bosnia in 2007.