BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) – The European Union has reaffirmed its solidarity with the victims and survivors of the wars in the former Yugoslavia following the death of Ratko Mladić, the convicted Bosnian Serb military commander who was serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In a spokesperson’s statement, the EU described the armed conflicts in the Western Balkans during the 1990s as among the darkest chapters in Europe’s recent history and expressed support for all victims, survivors and families affected by war crimes.

“Ratko Mladić was a convicted war criminal who had committed war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity,” the statement said.

Mladić died while serving a life sentence for crimes against humanity and genocide, including his role in the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2017, describing his crimes as among the most heinous known to humankind.

Statement on #Mladić:
Any glorification of war criminals, genocide denial and revisionism contradict the most fundamental European values and have no place in the EU or in EU candidate countries. Full statement 👇🏼https://t.co/UYRJf2F6Si

— Christian Wigand (@ExtSpoxEU) September 7, 2026

The EU stressed that the glorification of war criminals, denial of genocide and historical revisionism run contrary to fundamental European values and have no place either within the European Union or in countries seeking EU membership.

The bloc underlined that reconciliation and good neighbourly relations remain essential to building a peaceful and shared future across the Western Balkans.

“The EU is a partner to all countries in the Western Balkans in supporting their efforts to foster reconciliation and regional stability,” the statement said, adding that Brussels remains committed to helping regional partners find and implement definitive and inclusive solutions to outstanding regional and bilateral disputes rooted in the legacy of the past.

The EU said such efforts must be pursued in accordance with international law, stressing that lasting reconciliation, regional stability and respect for the victims remain central to the future of the Western Balkans.