Kaja Kallas, who is set to replace Josep Borrell as the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, delivered her opening statement today before the European Parliament in a hearing for her confirmation to one of the EU’s key positions.
In her speech, Kallas made no mention of the ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, despite the fact that the Western Balkans was referenced only once in over 12 minutes of her address to the MEPs.
Kallas referred to the Western Balkans in the context of the EU’s geopolitical strategy and its enlargement process.
“For most of our neighbors, the European Union has a strong magnetic attraction. From the Western Balkans to Ukraine. As one voter said when leaving the polling station last month in Moldova, Europe offers a life of choice. Enlargement is a geostrategic investment that is in Europe’s own interest. It strengthens our Union. It makes the new members of the European family more stable and secure. And it makes all of us progress,” she stated in her speech.
She also emphasized the need for clear results in the next five years and expressed her intent to work closely with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement to achieve this goal. Additionally, she mentioned collaboration with the Commissioner for the Mediterranean on a dedicated regional package.
This omission has raised eyebrows, with Radio Free Europe journalist Rikard Jozéiak, based in Brussels, commenting that it was curious that Kallas did not specifically address the Western Balkans or the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue during her speech.
The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is one of the issues that Kaja Kallas will need to address if she is confirmed by the European Parliament as the successor to Josep Borrell. Earlier reports suggested that she would personally take charge of the EU-facilitated Dialogue process and would not appoint a special envoy.
Her name has been considered a positive development for Kosovo, as the dialogue has so far been led by Borrell and Miroslav Lajcak, both of whom come from countries that do not recognize Kosovo.
