A combination photo shows Bosnian Serb wartime leader and indicted war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic (L) in an undated recent file photo and (R) attending a parliamentary session in the Republik of Srpska in Bosanski Samac February 13, 1995. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SOFIA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian Foreign Ministry assesses the arrest of the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic as a clear signal for the new Serbian government's resolve for efficient cooperation with the international community, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Dimiter Tsochev said in a statement on Tuesday.

    For Bulgaria, this is an important step towards the security in the region bringing neighboring Serbia closer to the European Union, the statement said.

    Meanwhile, Solomon Passy, chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Bulgarian Parliament and former foreign minister, said the arrest is a relief for Europe.

    "The Balkans took a breath after an 11-year nightmare, and Serbia and Bosnia are revived for a new European life," Passy said.

    "I believe that the accession of Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and all other countries in the Balkans to Euro-Atlantic structures is expedited. A green light is received for an expeditious integration project, and I believe this is a very good moment for all of us, for finally overcoming the legacy of the past," he said.

    Bulgaria's European Affairs Minister Gergana Gruncharova said it is beyond doubt that the detention of Karadzic will accelerate the process of Serbia's European integration.

    "We hope that the processes of opening of Serbia, including the dialogue with the tribunal in The Hague, will continue and this will ensure a fast track for the country integration in European structures," Gruncharova said.

    She noted that Bulgaria views Karadzic's arrest only in positive terms. "Every fact that brings the countries of the Western Balkans closer to their European prospects is positive to us," she said.

    "At a time when the EU is faced with such issues as the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, this type of convincing signals help maintain the horizon of enlargement as a living prospect inside the EU," the minister noted.

    Speaking on a separate occasion, Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Pavlin Dimitrov commented on Serbian press allegations that Karadzic had been hiding in Bulgaria saying that there are no data conforming these allegations. 

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