The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, have strongly condemned Andrija Mandić, the President of the Montenegrin Parliament, for expressing condolences following the death of Ratko Mladić. Mladić, who died at the age of 84 in The Hague, was a former military leader convicted of genocide and war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The Croatian officials described Mandić’s actions as “unacceptable and contrary to the values of the European Union,” emphasizing that such expressions could hinder Montenegro’s aspirations to join the EU.
Mandić, a leader of the pro-Serbian New Serbian Democracy party, extended his condolences to Mladić’s son, Darko, both personally and on behalf of his party. This gesture has been met with significant backlash from Croatia, which views it as undermining the necessary reconciliation with the past—a key criterion for EU accession. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Croatia would continue to insist on the consistent fulfillment of all accession criteria, including confronting historical issues, prosecuting war crimes, respecting international court judgments, and maintaining good neighborly relations.
Jandroković further criticized Mandić’s statement as being in complete discord with EU values and indicative of a lingering sentiment for a “Greater Serbia.” He asserted that Montenegro could not expect Croatian support for its EU membership as long as its leaders make such statements. The Croatian Speaker questioned whether Mandić’s condolences also implied a denial of the atrocities committed under Mladić’s command, including the genocide in Srebrenica.
The death of Ratko Mladić has reignited mixed reactions across the Balkans. In Serbia and the Republika Srpska, a region within Bosnia and Herzegovina, many have paid tribute to Mladić, viewing him as a hero. In contrast, in Bosnia’s Federation and Croatia, he is remembered as a war criminal responsible for heinous acts during the Bosnian War. These divergent views highlight the persistent ethnic and political tensions in the region, which continue to influence contemporary political dynamics.
Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović also reacted to the situation, emphasizing that relations with the Mladić family should not be used to relativize war crimes. The controversy surrounding Mandić’s statement underscores the complex historical and political landscape of the Balkans, where the legacy of the Yugoslav Wars still casts a long shadow over regional relations and aspirations for European integration.
As Montenegro seeks to advance its EU accession process, the incident with Mandić’s condolences could have significant diplomatic repercussions. Croatia’s firm stance on the issue reflects broader EU expectations for candidate countries to adhere to democratic values and historical accountability. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further reactions from other Balkan countries or EU officials, which could impact Montenegro’s path toward EU membership.
