Croatian Member of the European Parliament Stephen Nikola Bartulica stated that Serbia and Montenegro should not be allowed to join the European Union until they have paid war reparations. He made this declaration during a joint debate in the European Parliament focused on the European future of the Western Balkans. Bartulica emphasized the importance of a European perspective for the Western Balkan countries, but argued that EU expansion must be contingent on resolving outstanding issues from the past. His office released a statement on Tuesday detailing his position. The MEP believes addressing historical obligations is a crucial component of the accession process. This stance introduces a potentially significant hurdle for Serbia and Montenegro’s EU aspirations. The debate highlighted the complex relationship between historical accountability and future integration within the region.