Brandstätter: Glorifying war criminals could undermine Montenegro’s international credibility
The glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Montenegro has sparked numerous reactions. Austrian Member of the European Parliament and member of the liberal NEOS party Helmut Brandstätter told Portal ETV that such messages are incompatible with the values of the European Union. He stressed that Montenegro’s European path, in addition to meeting technical criteria, also requires a clear stance on war crimes, the rule of law and reconciliation.
- Glorifying convicted war criminals is fundamentally at odds with the values on which the European Union was built - Brandstätter said.
He recalled the final judgment against Mladić.
- Ratko Mladić was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by an international tribunal. There can be no ambiguity about that - he said.
Brandstätter said he supports Montenegro’s European future, but stressed that EU membership is not merely a matter of technical progress.
- Montenegro has made significant progress on its path towards European Union membership, and I strongly support Montenegro’s European future. But joining the EU is not simply about meeting technical criteria. It also requires a clear commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, reconciliation and an honest reckoning with the crimes of the past - he said.
He also warned that glorifying convicted war criminals, particularly when such messages come from the highest-ranking state officials, could have consequences for Montenegro’s international standing.
- Statements glorifying convicted war criminals, particularly when they come from the highest-ranking state officials, can undermine Montenegro’s international credibility and jeopardise the significant progress the country has made - Brandstätter said.
He stressed that political leaders have a particular responsibility for the reconciliation process in the region.
- My message is therefore clear: Montenegro belongs to the European family if it consistently upholds European values. Political leaders have a particular responsibility not to reopen the wounds of the past, but rather to contribute to reconciliation and to a peaceful, democratic future for the entire Western Balkans. In Europe, we must all understand the past so that we do not repeat the mistakes that were made - Brandstätter concluded.