Discussion about the funeral Ratko Mladić and glorification war criminals in Serbia, it was held in the European Parliament, and it was opened by the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
She assessed that the events of the previous week once again showed how difficult it is to face one of the darkest chapters of recent European history and the enormous suffering caused by the wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
She pointed out that the European Union remains in solidarity with the victims of war crimes, survivors and their families, stating that the peace, stability and progress of the Western Balkans are of strategic importance for Europe.
According to her, Serbia has a special role and responsibility in that process.
She reminded that Serbia committed to respect European values and principles by applying for EU membership.
The European Commission, as she stated, made it clear that the glorification of war criminals and denial genocidal are not in line with European values and that such behavior has no place in the European Union.
Kos also reflected on her visit to Srebrenica last year, assessing that it is difficult to understand how a person responsible for war crimes can be presented as a hero.
"The pictures from Ratko Mladić's funeral were very disturbing. They show a failure to face the past and contradict the values at the heart of European integration. It was especially disturbing to see Serbian ministers, officials, army representatives along with the leaders and politicians of the RS attending the funeral and paying tribute to the war criminal. The EC calls on the Serbian authorities and all actors in the region to contribute to reconciliation and good neighborly relations," said Marta Kos.
However, she emphasized that the pictures from the funeral should not be interpreted as a picture of Serbian society as a whole. She stated that she was contacted by a large number of citizens of Serbia and other parts of the region who rejected the glorification of war criminals.
According to her, Serbia is much wider than such scenes and includes young people, entrepreneurs, officials, artists, journalists and other citizens who want their country to progress and become a free, democratic and European society. Kos believes that such a Serbia deserves to have its voice heard, to have the support of the European Union and its place in Europe.
The European Commissioner said that there is no negotiation on the dignity of victims of genocide and war crimes. At the same time, she emphasized that Serbia will not be required to renounce its identity or history, but that it will be expected to face the past honestly.
At the end, Kos said that the European Commission will continue to do everything in its power to support Serbia's European path.
Real journalism costs money, and we will not be bought by tycoons and corporations. Support us with a one-time or monthly donation. The time for it is now!
