The recent state-supported funeral for Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal, in Belgrade has intensified scrutiny in Brussels regarding Serbia’s path to European Union membership. Despite Serbia’s candidate status, experts and EU officials question whether the country can pursue accession while honoring a figure sentenced for genocide and crimes against humanity.
The funeral, attended by thousands and marked by military honors and government involvement, sparked strong reactions from European Union leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes as shocking, and other EU officials condemned the glorification of war criminals. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceled a planned visit to Serbia in protest.
Political Stagnation and Backsliding
<pAnalysts from the European Council on Foreign Relations and Serbia’s Institute for European Affairs assert that Serbia’s EU accession process has lost momentum under the leadership of nationalist figures. According to Engjellushe Morina, Brussels has treated Serbia as a typical candidate country despite noticeable regressions in democracy and rule of law. Naim Leo Besiri emphasizes that Serbia’s ruling majority has failed to fulfill reform promises over the past five years.
Belgrade’s refusal to impose EU sanctions on Russia and ongoing strained relations with Kosovo further complicate Serbia’s EU integration. While President Aleksandar Vucic did not attend Mladic’s funeral, he facilitated and publicly defended the commemorations, deepening EU concerns about Serbia’s political trajectory away from European standards.
EU Responses and Serbian Relationships
The European Union has responded to Serbia’s actions with unprecedented criticism and limited financial pressure by withholding funds tied to judicial independence reforms. However, experts question the effectiveness of broad funding cuts, suggesting they could disproportionately affect the general population rather than political elites responsible for democratic decline.
Economically, Serbia maintains strong ties with the EU, which remains its largest trade partner and investor. Politically, however, Serbia is increasingly aligned with Moscow, complicating Brussels’ leverage. Observers note that both Russia and China act as geopolitical counterweights used by Serbia’s leadership to resist stricter EU demands without genuinely pursuing reform.
Outlook for Change and Reconciliation
Serbia’s upcoming early parliamentary election poses a critical test for the current leadership model. Political opposition remains fragile, and democratic progress appears unlikely in the near term. Analysts agree that no single election will repair institutional weaknesses or significantly alter Serbia’s relationship with the EU.
Reconciliation in the Western Balkans remains distant. Acknowledgment of Serbia’s role in the 1990s conflicts and acceptance of historical facts about war crimes are regarded as prerequisites for progress. Instead, narratives portraying Serbs solely as victims persist in politics, education, and media, with the recent funeral symbolizing a reversal of reconciliation efforts.
Experts stress that the funeral is not the cause but a revealing indicator of how far Serbia currently stands from meeting the political and ethical standards expected for EU membership and regional harmony.
