Marta Kos Cancels Visit to Serbia over Glorification of Ratko Mladic

Marta Kos (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on Sept. 4 that she decided against an already planned visit to Serbia because, as she said, the glorification surrounding Ratko Mladic's death is incompatible with the values on which the path toward the European Union (EU) is built.

Using social media, Kos recalled that Mladic "was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes," and that "the return of his remains to Belgrade reminds Europe of the darkest pages in our recent history." "The glorification surrounding his death is incompatible with the values on which the path to the EU is built. This path requires confronting the past, genuine reconciliation and respect for the victims of war crimes," she added.

In a Sept. 4 comment, Serbian President Aleksandar called Kos's explanation for postponing her visit to Belgrade stupid. "The explanation was extremely short, but stupid, as usual. 'Glorification' of General Ratko Mladic, she says, but without specifying who glorified what... Were we supposed to ban people from showing up? Were we supposed to ban the funeral?" the president said.