BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday criticised the large turnout at the funeral of former Bosnian Serb wartime general Ratko Mladic, saying the public and official presence could affect Serbia’s path towards European Union membership.
Mladic, who was convicted of war crimes, was buried in Belgrade on Monday following a funeral attended by a large number of mourners.
What did von der Leyen say about the funeral?
Von der Leyen described images from the funeral as “shocking” and criticised what she said was official support and the participation of senior Serbian officials.
She said the display reflected a failure to confront what she called a dark chapter in Europe’s recent history and was inconsistent with the values associated with Serbia’s EU accession process.
European Council President Antonio Costa also echoed von der Leyen’s concerns.
Could the funeral affect Serbia’s EU accession?
Von der Leyen said the events could undermine Serbia’s efforts to join the European Union, highlighting the bloc’s concerns over how the country addresses its wartime past.
Serbia has been pursuing EU membership for years, with its accession process involving reforms related to the rule of law, democratic institutions and regional relations.
The criticism comes as Serbia continues to balance its European integration ambitions with domestic political and historical sensitivities surrounding the wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia.