In less than a month, the mandate of the European Union’s Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajčák, will expire, a mandate that has been extended several times. Meanwhile, this month, a successor to Lajčák is expected to be appointed to the position. The deadline for submitting candidates expired yesterday, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will now decide who will be appointed.
The appointment of Special Representatives is made by the High Representative, but it must also be confirmed by the member states in the EU Council. This means there is significant time pressure, as the entire procedure requires time to be completed.
So far, no information regarding potential candidates has leaked from EU sources, as the procedure is conducted with discretion. However, some diplomatic sources have hinted that the position requires an experienced diplomat capable of continuing the work without needing to be acquainted with the dialogue process, which has been ongoing for 13 years with limited success.
Among the names that continue to be mentioned most frequently are former Finnish Minister Pekka Havisto and Danish diplomat Peter Sørensen. Both have experience in the Western Balkans region. The names of Havisto and Sørensen were also mentioned during the summer of 2023 when Lajčák was appointed EU Ambassador to Switzerland and was expected to take up the post starting in September 2023. However, Lajčák withdrew from the post of EU Ambassador to Bern, citing “personal reasons.” Diplomatic sources in the EU indicated that Lajčák felt the position was too low-level for him. Meanwhile, the former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, extended Lajčák’s mandate until the end of January this year. The reason for this extension was that the appointment of Lajčák’s successor would be left to the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and that there should be no vacuum in the position in the meantime.
The name of former Slovenian President and Prime Minister, Borut Pahor, was also frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the position Lajčák has held until now. However, Pahor, who had previously confirmed his interest in the position and had the support of the Slovenian government, announced on Friday that he had not submitted his candidacy and is no longer interested in the post.
