"Being here in Belgrade gives me the opportunity to congratulate President Tadic and the Serbian authorities on the arrest of Mr Mladic this morning.

I’ve discussed with President Tadic on a number of occasions his commitment to wanting to see Mr Mladic brought to justice, so it’s important that we see that ambition realized today.

It’s of course a very important day for international justice and for the rule of law.

Mr Mladic will now face the charges against him in the International Tribunal; charges which are of course of a very serious nature.

And we think back to events in Sarajevo and perhaps especially in Srebrenica. So today more than ever I think about the families and friends of the victims of the conflict and I feel it is really important that we remember them and think of them especially.

I know that people will also be thinking about Serbia and its future in the European Union.

What I know is that we will approach that with renewed energy because of today.

And I look at the messages coming out of Brussels and European capitals to Serbia and hope that we will be able to move forward swiftly."