Today, the Council of the European Union (EU) declared the appointment of Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen as the new EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. His role is expected to advance the comprehensive normalization of ties between Serbia and Kosovo.

As the successor to Miroslav Lajčak, Sorensen’s assignment will focus on “facilitating a dialogue aimed at achieving the comprehensive normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo,” with particular emphasis on implementing the Agreement on the Road to Normalization and its Implementation Annex, according to the EU Council.

The EU Council noted that the Agreement on the Path to Normalization and its Implementation Annex were “adopted” in February and March 2023 in Brussels and Ohrid.

For nearly two years, the European Union has asserted that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić verbally agreed to the Agreement and the Implementation Annex, thus binding Belgrade legally. However, Vučić has refrained from signing the documents, as requested by Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

The EU Council specified that Sorensen will officially assume his position on February 1st, with his initial term spanning 13 months.

Sorensen’s nomination was made by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kalas, and his appointment as Lajčák’s successor received support from ambassadors of EU member states on Friday; Lajčák has served in this capacity for nearly five years.

With substantial experience, Sorensen has engaged extensively in the Western Balkans, as highlighted by the EU Council. He served as the Special Representative and Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2011 to 2014, and held positions as the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation in Skopje, as well as Head of the EU Delegation in Geneva. In Geneva, he represented the EU to the United Nations and was also the Union’s envoy at the UN Human Rights Council.

Sorensen previously acted as the EU High Representative’s envoy to Serbia and as an advisor to the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), in addition to his role with the OSCE Mission in Croatia.

The Council reiterated that the EU’s special representatives advocate for the policies and interests of the 27-nation bloc in specific regions and countries, addressing key issues of interest to the EU. They play an active part in promoting reforms, stability, and the rule of law.

The initial special representatives of the Union were appointed in 1996, and at present, 11 of them assist Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, in her efforts.

Since the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina commenced in 2011, it has faced significant stagnation over recent months, with little advancement since the agreement on the Roadmap to Normalization in 2023.

News