European Parliament condemns Ratko Mladić funeral in Serbia

Ratko Mladić funeral European Parliament debate Serbia EU accession Marta Kos war crimes glorification

Members of the European Parliament have held a plenary debate in Strasbourg to condemn the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade, which was attended by Serbian ministers, state officials, and military representatives. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described the images from the ceremony as “deeply disturbing” and stated that the glorification of war criminals, denial of genocide, and historical revisionism are fundamentally incompatible with EU values and candidate status.

Several MEPs, including Davor Ivo Stier and Tonino Picula, criticized the current Serbian government's direction and called for a tougher EU stance. Proposals included the suspension of EU funding and a review of Serbia's accession negotiations. Stier characterized the EU's previous approach to Belgrade as “lukewarm and ineffective,” while Picula suggested the funeral served as a medium to identify the official policy of the Serbian state.

Commissioner Kos noted that while the funeral honors do not represent the entirety of Serbian society, they demonstrate a failure to confront the past. She emphasized that Serbia holds a central role in the stability of the Western Balkans and urged authorities to stop using the past as a barrier to the future. The European Commission is expected to release a progress report on Serbia's accession at the end of October.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · European Commission · European Parliament · European Union · Marta Kos · Ratko Mladić · Serbia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The presence of Serbian officials at Ratko Mladić's funeral shows a failure to confront the past and contradicts European integration values. lat.sputnikportal.rs · radiosarajevo.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] Some MEPs have called for a suspension of EU funding and a review of accession negotiations with Serbia. fena.ba
[● 2 SOURCES] The funeral of Ratko Mladić indicates the direction in which the current Serbian government is leading the country. fena.ba
[● 3 SOURCES] Serbia holds a central role and responsibility in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans. lat.sputnikportal.rs · radiosarajevo.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] Glorifying war criminals and denying genocide are incompatible with EU membership and candidate status. radiosarajevo.ba
[○ 1 SOURCE] The EU should not provide funding to those who do not distance themselves from the politics of Slobodan Milošević. fena.ba
[● 6 SOURCES] MEP Tonino Picula stated that Mladić's funeral served as a medium to identify the official policy of Belgrade. n1info.ba · fena.ba · n1info.rs · www.index.hr
[● 9 SOURCES] Commissioner Marta Kos described images from Mladić's funeral as deeply disturbing. verige.net · 24-ore.com · lat.sputnikportal.rs · www.novilist.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] US Congresswoman Dina Titus criticized the Serbian public for treating Mladić as a hero instead of seeking sobriety.
[● 12 SOURCES] EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that glorifying war criminals, denying genocide, and historical revisionism are fundamentally incompatible with EU values. n1info.ba · verige.net · 24-ore.com · lat.sputnikportal.rs · lajmi.net · +6 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Some MEPs called for the suspension of EU funding and a review of accession negotiations with Serbia. n1info.ba · fena.ba · lajmi.net · n1info.rs
[● 7 SOURCES] Serbian ministers, state officials, and military representatives attended the funeral of Ratko Mladić. n1info.ba · verige.net · 24-ore.com · lat.sputnikportal.rs · www.novilist.hr · +1 more