Serbian MFA: The bombing of the FRY was not only an attack on one country, but also a blow to the principles of international law

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia stated today, marking the 27th anniversary of the start of the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, that it was not only an attack on one state, but also a blow to the principles of international law, sovereignty, and justice, and that the consequences of such a precedent are still felt today.

“The memory of March 24, 1999 remains deeply etched in the collective consciousness of our people, the day when, without a decision of the UN Security Council, the bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia began, in violation of international law and the fundamental principles on which the modern international order is based,” the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on the social network “X”.

It recalls that during the 78 days, the country was devastated, with bridges, hospitals, schools, media outlets, and cultural heritage destroyed.

“Around 3,500 people were killed, including 89 children, while thousands were injured. Lives were cut short in homes, workplaces, and on the streets, while human tragedy was reduced to so-called ‘collateral damage’,” the Ministry notes.

It also states that this act was not only an attack on one country, but also a blow to the principles of international law, sovereignty, and justice, and that the consequences of such a precedent are still felt today, serving as a reminder of how a rules-based system becomes sensitive and unstable when its fundamental principles are disregarded.

“Serbia remembers. With respect for the victims and guided by its own experience, we remain committed to upholding the UN Charter, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, determined to preserve truth, dignity, and the right to ensure that such injustices never happen again,” the statement adds.