BRUSSELS – According to numerous media reports, a Danish diplomat Peter Sørensen will be elected a new EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. EU institutions have confirmed for the EWB that the selection process for the successor of Miroslav Lajčák is underway.
“The mandate of EUSR Miroslav Lajčák remains in effect until the end of January. The selection process of his successor is currently underway, and we will provide updates in due time”, states an EU spokesperson for European Western Balkans.
The deadline for applying for the position of Special Representative expired on 3 January. Brussels-based media claim that High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas will choose between Peter Sørensen and former Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, but that it is more likely that Haavisto will take office at the United Nations. Kallas’ choice must be approved by the EU member states.
Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor did not apply for the position of Special Representative although he previously expressed his readiness to accept the post. Pahor cited that one of the reasons for quitting was that he learned from informal talks that a diplomat was being sought for the position.
Peter Sørensen is a Danish diplomat, with three decades of work experience in the Western Balkans.
He was political advisor to the European Community observer mission in the former Yugoslavia (1995-1996), legal advisor to the High Representative in Sarajevo (1996-1997), head of the political section and senior advisor to the head of the OSCE in Croatia (1997-1999), legal advisor to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Balkans (2000), senior advisor to the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to Kosovo (2001-2002), deputy head of the reconstruction and economic development pillar within UNMIK (2002-2006), personal representative of the EU High Representative in Belgrade (2006-2010), head of the EU delegation in Skopje (2010-2011), head of the EU Delegation and special representative to BiH (2011-2014).
Miroslav Lajčák, former Foreign Minister of Slovakia, was appointed for the first time as EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue in April 2020. In the summer 2024, his term of office was extended until 31 January 2025.