Top European Union leaders expressed dismay on Tuesday following Serbia’s grand funeral for Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb general who passed away while serving a life sentence for war crimes. This event raised doubts about Serbia’s readiness to become an EU member.
Mladic was laid to rest in Belgrade with military honors, with Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church leading the funeral service. Serbian army personnel carried Mladic’s coffin draped in a flag at the cemetery.
Despite being known as the “Butcher of Bosnia” and convicted of perpetrating Europe’s first genocide post-World War II, Mladic is still revered as a hero by many Serbs. The presence of several Serbian government officials at the funeral was criticized by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who termed it regrettable and contradictory to Serbia’s EU aspirations.
When questioned about the potential impact on Serbia’s EU bid, von der Leyen’s spokesperson mentioned that the matter was under review.
Although President Aleksandar Vucic did not attend the funeral, his son Danilo was present alongside Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik and the Russian ambassador in Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko. Serbia’s Justice Minister Nenad Vujic also attended the funeral, standing with Mladic’s family.
Mladic was convicted by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for genocide related to the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and the siege of Sarajevo, where thousands lost their lives.
The UK condemned the involvement of Serbian state and military officials in Mladic’s funeral, emphasizing that any glorification of a war criminal undermines regional stability.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos had previously warned that the funeral would be a test for Belgrade, canceling her upcoming visit to Serbia due to concerns about the glorification of Mladic.
The EU typically releases its annual enlargement report in late October or early November, evaluating candidates’ progress towards membership, including Serbia. Von der Leyen is expected to visit the Western Balkans before the report’s publication.
Mladic’s funeral is likely to impact Serbia’s EU prospects, already compromised by democratic setbacks and warnings of potential loss of EU funds. Despite this, Vucic’s party maintains close ties with the EPP, the EU’s largest political group, which has faced criticism for its support of Vucic.
Calls have been made for the EPP to distance itself from Vucic’s party, highlighting the need for a stronger stance against celebrating convicted war criminals. The EPP has faced similar challenges in the past, notably with Hungary’s Fidesz party.
