A debate has begun in the European Parliament over the burial of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić and the glorification of war crimes in Serbia. The debate was opened by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who said that last week’s events reminded her once again of how difficult it remains to confront one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history and the immense suffering caused by the wars in the former Yugoslavia.
“The EU stands in solidarity with all victims of war crimes, survivors and their families. Stability and progress in the Western Balkans are in Europe’s strategic interest. Serbia has a central role and responsibility in this regard,” Kos said.
She stressed that by applying for EU membership, Serbia has committed to respecting European values and principles. She added that the European Commission has made clear that the glorification of war criminals and denial of genocide are incompatible with European values and have no place in the European Union.
Kos also referred to her visit to Srebrenica last year, saying it is incomprehensible that someone responsible for such crimes could be glorified as a hero, Danas reports.
“The images from Ratko Mladić’s funeral were extremely disturbing. They demonstrate a failure to confront the past and contradict the values underpinning European integration. Particularly disturbing was seeing ministers, officials and representatives of the Serbian military, together with leaders and politicians from Republika Srpska, attending the funeral and honoring a war criminal. The European Commission calls on the Serbian authorities and all actors in the region to contribute to reconciliation and good-neighborly relations,” Kos said.
However, Kos stressed that the scenes witnessed do not represent Serbian society as a whole.
“Many citizens from Serbia and the region have written to me, opposing the glorification of war criminals. That is why I know Serbia is more than this. Serbia is its citizens, young people, entrepreneurs, civil servants, artists and journalists who want their country to move forward, who want to live in a free, democratic and European Serbia. That Serbia deserves to be heard and deserves support, and there is a place for it in Europe,” she said.
Kos said that the dignity of victims of genocide and war crimes cannot be negotiated, adding that Europe will never ask Serbia to deny its identity or history, but will ask it to honestly confront its past.
“The Commission will do everything within its power to support Serbia’s European path,” Kos concluded.
