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Radio Free Europe
- September 4, 2026 12:49
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A state funeral for convicted war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic or the participation of members of the Serbian government in his funeral are unacceptable to the European Union, has warned Thomas Byrne, the Irish Minister for European Affairs, whose country currently holds the presidency of the European bloc.
He confirmed that European officials are "working hard behind the scenes" on the issue.
"I believe a state funeral would be unacceptable. As far as I understand, there is not actually a state funeral being organised, but it is quite possible that senior government officials will pay their respects to that person. So that is also unacceptable," Byrne declared ahead of the informal meeting of EU and Western Balkans ministers, which is being held in Ireland.
He described the developments during the 90s in the Western Balkans region as "disgusting".
"But, make no mistake, what is happening there, in my opinion, still causes pain to people, particularly in that region, but also in some member states of the European Union," Byrne assessed.
The plane carrying the body of Ratko Mladic, who died on August 27 in The Hague, arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport on Thursday, September 3. In addition to family members, the plane also carried Serbia's Justice Minister, Nenad Vujic, and two of Mladic's comrades-in-arms.
The coffin with Mladic's body was draped with the Serbian flag and carried by members of the Serbian Army.
His son stated that Mladic will be buried on Monday, September 7, at the Topcider cemetery.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had earlier said that he expects Mladić's son "to inform everyone in the coming days about what the family wants." However, he added that the state would be ready to provide any kind of logistical, transport and other support, as well as to help maintain public order, peace and security.
Earlier, Minister Vujic had said that Mladic would be buried with the highest state honors.
The European Commission, meanwhile, has said that it is up to the Serbian authorities to decide what role they will play in Mladic's funeral, but has stressed that glorifying war criminals is contrary to the most fundamental European values and has no place in either the European Union or candidate countries for membership.
The Irish Minister for European Affairs called for it to be time to leave the past behind and work on reconciliation, and for the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans to continue.
The Hague Tribunal sentenced Ratko Mladic to life imprisonment on June 8, 2021.
Gjykata konstatoi se ai ishte fajtor për gjenocidin e kryer ndaj rreth 8.000 boshnjakëve në Srebrenicë, zonë e mbrojtur nga Kombet e Bashkuara, në verën e vitit 1995.