Warm Words From Eu As Leaders Welcome a Step Towards Justice

World leaders yesterday hailed the capture of Radovan Karadzic as a great day for international justice and an important step in Serbia's relationship with Europe.

His arrest by security services was described by the former EU high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, as an "extremely important piece of justice for the world at large".

"Karadzic was accused of being the architect of the worst war crimes that have been perpetrated in Europe since the Nazis," Ashdown said. "It is a major credit to Serbia and at last brings the prospect of justice for Bosnia."

The foreign secretary, David Miliband, said the arrest of Karadzic was a significant step "for the whole of the western Balkans, and for Serbia's relations with the international community". He said foreign ministers would consider reopening the EU agreement with Serbia, adding: "We have always said that Serbia has a place in the European family and that place depends not just on cultural, economic and political issues, but also on the European values of justice and human rights."

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, also praised Serbian president Boris Tadic's "courageous step" in apprehending Karadzic, saying it "underscored Serbia's European aspirations".

France's foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, who was also in Brussels, added: "We have waited for this for 13 years. Finally. Finally. This is a very good thing for the rapprochement of Serbia with the European Union."

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said: "This is a historic moment for the victims, who have waited 13 years for Mr Karadzic to be brought to justice."

Munira Subasic, head of a Srebrenica widows' association, said Karadzic's arrest was proof that every criminal would eventually face justice: "I hope that people who had to keep quiet because of Karadzic will start revealing the locations of mass graves and let us find the truth about our beloved ones," she said.