Europe's Blind Spot in the Balkans The spectacle of Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal, receiving a hero's farewell in Belgrade has left many wondering if Serbia can ever truly be part of the European Union.
The event was more than just a galling display of disrespect for the EU's values; it also highlighted a disturbing pattern of behavior that has been tolerated by Brussels for far too long.
Serbia's accession process has stalled due to its continued backsliding on democracy and the rule of law, according to Engjellushe Morina of the European Council on Foreign Relations.