European People’s Party President Manfred Weber has strongly condemned the presence of senior Serbian officials at the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, warning that the public glorification of the former Bosnian Serb military commander is incompatible with European values.
Weber recalled that Mladić was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including for his leading role in the Srebrenica genocide.
“He was convicted for his leading role in the genocide in Srebrenica. His crimes belong to one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history,” Weber said.
He expressed particular concern over the participation of senior Serbian officials in the funeral and the public honors given to Mladić.
“The fact that a convicted war criminal was publicly honored at his funeral, with the participation of senior Serbian officials, is deeply concerning. I strongly condemn their presence and the public glorification of Mladić,” Weber said.
According to Weber, honoring a person convicted of genocide cannot be portrayed as an act of reconciliation or remembrance.
“Honoring a man convicted of genocide is not an act of reconciliation or remembrance, but a refusal to accept responsibility for confronting the crimes of the past,” he said.
Weber argued that such actions are fundamentally at odds with European values and could further undermine confidence in Serbia’s commitment to its European path.
“This is completely incompatible with our European values. It also undermines confidence in Serbia’s commitment to the values and principles that are fundamental to its European path,” the EPP president said.
His comments come amid growing criticism from European officials and institutions over the treatment of Mladić’s legacy in Serbia following his death and funeral, with concerns that public glorification of convicted war criminals could further complicate Serbia’s EU accession process.
