Organizing a funeral for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić with the highest state honors is unacceptable.

Ratko Mladić died in a Hague prison last week as a war criminal, convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Unfortunately, he was never officially charged for the crimes he committed in Croatia. However, were it not for the international prosecution mechanism, i.e., the Hague Tribunal, he likely would never have been held accountable for his monstrous crimes.

This is further evidenced by the initial reactions of Serbia's political leadership, which plans to organize his funeral with the highest state honors. This is completely unacceptable, contrary to European values, and closes Serbia's path toward the EU.

I will warn the European Commission about this in writing, along with other fellow members of parliament, requesting the suspension or freezing of Serbia's accession process until the Serbian authorities unequivocally reject the glorification and public honoring of those convicted of war crimes and genocide, as well as the rejection of Serbia's integration into the Schengen Area.

I believe there are political forces in Serbia with the strength to confront war criminals. They are the only guarantee that Serbia will remain on its European path.

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