Germany’s new ambassador to Kosovo, Rainer Rudolph, in an op-ed published on the official website of the German Embassy, highlighted the warm reception he has received in Kosovo, his planned work, and his focus on the country’s key priorities.
Ambassador Rudolph emphasized that Kosovo’s main priorities should be advancing European integration and strengthening dialogue with Serbia. He called on the new government to engage actively in the normalization process.
“From a new government, we need strong commitment to the EU-led normalization dialogue. The peaceful local elections and the transfer of municipal administrations to newly elected mayors in the north were undoubtedly encouraging in this regard. After all, all communities in the country should feel at home in a multi-ethnic Kosovo,” Rudolph wrote.
The ambassador also stressed the importance of Kosovo taking steps it can implement independently, citing the recent news from the European Commission on advancing the removal of measures against Kosovo following the peaceful transfer of local governance in the north after the elections.
“The latest announcement that the European Commission is moving forward to lift measures against Kosovo after the peaceful transfer of local governance in the north following recent local elections is excellent news,” he added.
Rudolph further highlighted the need for a government that can represent Kosovo internationally and implement decisions domestically. He warned that the stalemate in 2025 damaged Kosovo’s international reputation and caused financial losses the country could have otherwise gained.
