Marta Kos postpones planned visit to Belgrade

“Ratko Mladic was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The return of his remains to Belgrade reminds Europe of the darkest pages in our recent history,” Kos said.

She noted that the glorification of Mladic is incompatible with the values on which Serbia’s EU path is built.

“That path requires confronting the past, genuine reconciliation and respecting the victims of war crimes,” the European Commissioner said.

Kos emphasized that the values that underpin the common future are not negotiable, adding that this is the reason why she decided not to proceed with her planned visit to Serbia “at this time.”

The Commissioner’s visit to Belgrade was supposed to take place just two days after the funeral of Ratko Mladic, who was convicted in The Hague for genocide and war crimes.

Among other engagements, she was also scheduled to attend the BELTALKS international economic forum.

The Serbian president recently spoke about her anticipated arrival as well. On August 25, when asked by reporters to comment on Marta Kos’s statement that a change in the EU accession methodology is necessary because the Union does not need “Trojan horses,” Aleksandar Vucic replied that they are simply doing their job and protecting themselves.

“If I were a cynic and a bit rude, I’d say that Marta Kos would prefer to see some sheep rather than horses, but I’m not, so I won’t say that. Let them do their job, protect themselves. They don’t need Trojan horses, or any horses for that matter. They don’t need anything, they are self-sufficient,” Vucic said at the time.