EU to discuss Serbia's accession October 25

A 1993 photo of Mladic, who has
been evading arrest since his
indictment by the UN, July 24, 1995.

It is generally expected that the EU will unblock Serbia's accession process during a meeting in Luxembourg, October 25. It has largely been blocked pending the arrest of Ratko Mladic. Jean de Ruyt, EU ambassador for Belgium (currently holding the EU presidency) said that in return for the deal, the EU would closely monitor Serbia's cooperation with ICTY during the entire accession process, after completion of each chapter.

In the Netherlands, parliament wants to hold off on a decision on Serbia's accession until ICTY's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, has completed his semi-annual report on Serbia's cooperation with the tribunal. But the Netherlands is not the only country calling for caution. Irish foreign minister Michael Martin was urged to insist on the arrest of Mladic before allowing Serbia to proceed with accession to the EU. "We in Ireland know only too well the damage done by justice postponed," a letter to the FM stated.

As the New York Times stated: The EU has a dilemma. Allow Serbia access to the EU in the name of stability or first require the arrest of Mladic in the name of justice.