European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa have expressed strong disapproval regarding the attendance of several senior Serbian officials at the funeral of Ratko Mladic, a figure convicted of war crimes. The leaders made their sentiments known in a joint statement on X, labeling the images from the event, which took place in Serbia—a candidate for EU membership—as “shocking.”
Their statements emphasized the troubling nature of the official support shown at the funeral, lamenting that it reflects an inability to confront a challenging period in Europe’s history and undermines Serbia’s efforts to integrate into the European Union. They extended their thoughts to the victims of crimes committed during the Yugoslav wars, acknowledging the need for remembrance and accountability.
Serbia’s Justice Minister Nenad Vujic had previously announced plans for “military and state honors” for Mladic, a decision that spurred international outcry and subsequently led President Aleksandr Vucic to modify the event. Key attendees included Serbia’s defense and justice ministers, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and officials from the Bosnian Serb separatist entity, Republika Srpska, including President Sinisa Karan. Notably, Russia’s ambassador to Serbia was also present, while President Vucic himself did not attend, although he described the gathering as an “emotional outpouring,” with his son representing the family.
Mladic passed away in The Hague last month, aged 84, while serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity connected to the Bosnian War of the 1990s. His actions during this period, particularly related to the Srebrenica genocide—where forces under his command were responsible for the systematic murder of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys—still evoke conflicting sentiments in various communities, with many Serbs viewing him as a national hero.
In direct response to the funeral, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken steps to downgrade diplomatic relations with Serbia, recalling embassy staff from Belgrade. This situation complicates Serbia’s aspirations for EU membership, as indicated by the European enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos. Recently, concerns had already been raised about Serbia’s access to EU funding due to irregularities in municipal elections.
As Brussels prepares to release its annual report on EU candidates, the implications of the funeral will be closely scrutinized, raising questions about how this incident might affect Serbia’s future within the European bloc. While calls for accountability are becoming more assertive, critics have pointed to a perceived imbalance in the EU’s approach to similar issues, especially regarding ongoing conflicts elsewhere in the region.
The situation underscores the complexities of historical remembrance and accountability in the Balkans, as well as the challenges faced by nations pursuing EU integration while reconciling their pasts.
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