Kos postpones her visit to Serbia: “The glorification of Mladić is incompatible with EU values”

Brussels – “The glorification surrounding Ratko Mladić’s death is incompatible with the values on which the path to EU integration is based.” With these words, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, announced on X her decision “not to proceed with my planned visit to Serbia at this time.” that she had planned. This clear stance came on the day that demonstrations and events were organised in Serbia in memory of the former Bosnian Serb military commander, who died at the end of August in The Hague, where he was serving a life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. 

For Kos, the way in which Mladić is celebrated represents a problem that goes beyond historical memory and directly affects Belgrade’s path towards the EU. “The values underpinning our common future are non-negotiable,” the Commissioner emphasised, recalling that accession to the European Union requires candidate countries to come to terms with their past and take concrete steps towards genuine reconciliation. 

In the case of Serbia, the issue is particularly sensitive because the country’s relationship with the legacy of the wars of the 1990s and with the crimes committed during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains one of the key issues in the process of rapprochement with the EU. For Brussels, acknowledging responsibility for war crimes, cooperating with international tribunals, and showing respect for the victims are all part of the commitments associated with the accession process. 

“The accession process requires coming to terms with the past, genuine reconciliation, and respect for the victims of war crimes,” Kos reiterated. The decision to postpone the visit thus sends a political signal to Belgrade: the process of European integration is not only about institutional and economic reforms, but also about respect for the Union’s fundamental values and the ability to address the legacy of past conflicts.