VILNIUS, 26 May 2011 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today welcomed the arrest of Bosnian Serb wartime military leader Ratko Mladić as a very important step for justice and regional reconciliation.

"I welcome today’s arrest of Ratko Mladić by the Serbian authorities. He is one of the last two persons indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia that has so far evaded justice. His arrest is an important step in ensuring that all those indicted for war crimes face justice and demonstrates that there can be no impunity for war crimes," said Ažubalis.

The OSCE, through its field operations in South Eastern Europe, monitors domestic and ICTY-deferred war crimes proceedings and helps build the capacity of local judicial authorities. The Organization supports national systems for ensuring impartial accountability and enhancing judicial co-operation on war crimes proceedings in the region.