The incident caused in the Serbian Parliament by ultra-nationalist MP Vojislav Seselj on Wednesday does not belong in democratic institutions, the European Commission (EC) said on Thursday.

“What we have to say on this topic is that what we saw yesterday does not belong in a democratic institution. It’s actually disrespectful of a democratic institution representing citizens and all of those who work on good neighbourly relations, regional cooperation and reconciliation. That’s all we have to say,” said EC spokesman, Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela, in reply to a reporters question to comment on the incident.

On Wednesday, leader of the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS) and member of Serbian Parliament Vojislav Seselj had desecrated the Croatian national flag that had been hoisted in front of the Parliament in Belgrade, and hurled insults at members of the Croatian Parliament delegation that had been in Belgrade on an official visit to Serbia.

Following the incident, the Croatian delegation immediately returned to Zagreb on Wednesday afternoon, cutting short what was meant to be a two-day friendly visit.