Plenković: Serbia would shut the door on EU with state funeral for Mladić

A proposed state funeral for Ratko Mladić has drawn a sharp warning from Croatia’s prime minister, who said the move would push Serbia away from the European Union.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum, Andrej Plenković said he understood the decision had not yet been finalized. He nevertheless condemned the idea of granting full state and military honors to Mladić, whom he described as a war criminal responsible for some of the worst crimes in Croatia.

“That would be like shutting the door on themselves” as far as European Union membership is concerned, Plenković said. He added that he had discussed the issue with several participants at the Slovenian forum.

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That would be like shutting the door on themselves.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also rejected any attempt to glorify Mladić. “Ratko Mladic was convicted as a war criminal and sentenced to life imprisonment for the Srebrenica genocide and crimes against humanity. That will be the basis on which we assess what happens in Serbia,” she said.

Kos said honoring war criminals had no place in the EU or in countries seeking membership. The proposed funeral was announced by Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujić, according to the report, while the final decision remained unclear.

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Ratko Mladic was convicted as a war criminal and sentenced to life imprisonment for the Srebrenica genocide and crimes against humanity. That will be the basis on which we assess what happens in Serbia.