Serbia/war crimes

Serbian president Boris Tadic today confirmed the arrest of Ratko Mladic one of the highest profile fugitive Bosnian Serb war criminals. The Greens welcomed the arrest, which has clear implications for Serbia's EU membership bid. Commenting on the arrest, Green foreign affairs spokesperson Franziska Brantner said:

“The long overdue arrest of Ratko Mladic marks major step towards a new chapter for Serbia, Bosnia and the wider region, both as regards coming to terms with the tragic recent past and progressing along the path of reconciliation. One of the most heinous of war criminals, Mladic's arrest has always been a core requirement for Bosnians and the international community. The arrest also gives a very timely boost to Serbia's EU membership bid. The Serbian authorities must now intensify their search for the remaining war criminals, like Goran Hadzic, and, in doing so, copper-fasten their European destiny."

Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek added:

"This is an important step for Serbia's EU progress but it must also make progress in its dialogue with Kosovo, for example doing away with parallel structures, stopping blockade of Kosovo in CEFTA and showing a willingness to take part in meetings at which representatives of the Kosovo government are present. Mladic's arrest must not be regarded as a carte blanche."