The identity of the chief negotiator who will represent Kosovo in dialogue with Serbia will not be revealed until the new government is officially formed, according to statements from government officials. Experts on the dialogue process emphasize that due to the sensitivity and significance of these negotiations, the role requires a figure with strong institutional legitimacy.
The position of chief negotiator has not been assigned to any of the individuals proposed as government ministers in the previous legislature during Vetëvendosje’s two failed attempts to form a cabinet.
During the Kurti II government, this responsibility was held by First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi. However, Bislimi’s name and position did not appear in the cabinet proposed by Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti, while in the proposal presented by Deputy Speaker Glauk Konjufca, he was suggested as Minister of Infrastructure.
Njomza Arifi, Director of the Group for Political and Legal Studies, emphasized that Kosovo’s representation in the dialogue should be entrusted to the Deputy Prime Minister.
“What the government must ensure is that the appointment of the chief negotiator is a credible figure—someone capable of managing complex processes, with both public and internal authority—to handle processes such as the implementation of dialogue agreements. But this remains to be seen in the future,” she said.
When asked by KOHË about which ministry will oversee the dialogue and whether any changes in state representation will occur, Government spokesperson Përparim Kryeziu said:
“These two issues will be clarified once the new government is formed and responsibilities are allocated within the Kurti III cabinet.”
Kryeziu also highlighted the achievements of the Kurti II mandate in the dialogue process:
“We already have the Brussels Basic Agreement and the Ohrid Annex for its implementation. These documents establish at least a de facto recognition and pave the way toward full normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Full and unconditional implementation of these agreements produces sustainable results from the dialogue process.”
Two days ago, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that the upcoming Kurti III government will include changes compared to the proposals submitted at the end of last year. Without providing details, he stated that many ministers will remain from the previous proposals, but new names will also be included.
