MEP: Serbia to stop glorifying war criminals

Dijalog, pregovori, opozicija, vlast, evroparlamentarci, Tanja Fajon, Vladimir Bilčik, Knut Flekenštajn, dogovor, izbori,
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The European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia Vladimir Bilčík said on Thursday his last report on Belgrade's progress called on the respect and implementation of war crimes verdicts and the termination of glorifying war criminals.

Bilčík commented on the news that the convicted war criminal Vladimir Lazarevic was declared an honorary citizen of one of the municipalities of the southern city of Nis.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe (RFE), he recalled that his report, adopted by the EP in March, „clearly says that the reconciliation and regional cooperation were key issues for Serbia’s EU membership.“
„The EP encourages Serbia to continue efforts for reconciliation and to strengthen good neighbourly relations at all levels, including the issues related to the past,“ Bilčík said.

He called on the authorities „committed to the European perspective to work on the reconciliation, justice and facing the tragedies from the past.“

On August 9, Lazarevic should be presented the highest recognition of the Nis’ Pantelej municipality after the local assembly voted to declare him an honorary citizen on the Nis’ City Council led by President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

The municipality’s head Natasa Stankovic told RSE Lazarevic was honoured for „devoting his entire life to the defence of Serbia’s flag colours.“

„He’s a modest, honest man, immensely loyal to his family and homeland, brave and dedicated military leader,“ she said.

Lazarevic commanded the former Yugoslav Army Pristina Corps. He was sentenced to 14 years by The Hague Tribunal for crimes his soldiers committed against civilians in Kosovo.

He voluntarily surrendered to the Tribunal in 2005 and was found guilty in 2009 for command responsibility in aiding and supporting crimes against humanity, including forced dislocation of the Albanian civilians in Kosovo.

The Tribunal released Lazarevic after he served two-thirds of the sentence.