(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, 11 LUG - "The European Union will never forget what happened" in Srebrenica. "We acknowledge our past and our responsibility for failing to prevent and stop the genocide. We will never allow anyone to rewrite history," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. "We firmly reject and condemn any denial, distortion, or minimization of the Srebrenica genocide, as well as the glorification of war criminals," von der Leyen added, underlining the "great responsibility" borne by political leaders, "particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Western Balkans." "They must set an example," she continued, "by recognizing the established facts and sincerely honoring the victims," and "they must actively commit to reconciliation, addressing the roots of the hatred that led to these atrocities." "This," she emphasized, "is the only path toward a brighter and more prosperous future for the next generation." The Commission president also reiterated the EU's full commitment to supporting Bosnia-Herzegovina "on its path toward EU membership." "Your political leaders," she wrote to the Bosnian people, "should do their part so that your country can find its place at the heart of our Union, where it belongs." (ANSA).