Story perspectives

Serbia Plans Full State Honors for Mladic, EU Warns

9/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ratko Mladic’s body arrived in Belgrade and will receive full state honors, Justice Minister Nenad Vujic said.
EU officials warned the funeral will test Serbia’s EU accession prospects.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancelled her planned Serbia visit, citing glorification of Mladic as conflicting with EU values.
Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty urged authorities to counter glorification, calling it illegal under the European Convention on Human Rights.

History

Historical Context

The Bosnian War (1992-95) ended with the Dayton Accords in December 1995, after NATO air strikes forced the VRS to retreat. The UN-established International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) began in 1993 and by 2008 had convicted 45 Serbs for war crimes. Serbia’s move to honor convicted commander Ratko Mladic now threatens EU accession talks, which tie aid to human-rights compliance.

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Story summary

Ratko Mladic’s body arrived in Belgrade and will receive full state honors, Justice Minister Nenad Vujic said.
EU officials warned the funeral will test Serbia’s EU accession prospects.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancelled her planned Serbia visit, citing glorification of Mladic as conflicting with EU values.
Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty urged authorities to counter glorification, calling it illegal under the European Convention on Human Rights.

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