RFE: EU envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue a certainty (Beta, N1)
The appointment of a European Union special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is a sure thing and the decision will probably be announced after the EU’s future top diplomat Josep Borrell adresses the European Parliament on October 7, Radio Free Europe said on Thursday quoting unnamed diplomatic sources in Brussels.
Those sources said that Borrell, the current Spanish Foreign Minister, told some of his fellow EU foreign ministers about his idea. They said that the envoy should have a high political profile (at least at the level of foreign minister) and relevant knowledge about the situation in the region. The envoy should also have “the charisma to move the process forward” and “repair the damage done by (outgoing EU High Representative) Federica Mogherini”.
The idea to appoint an EU special envoy for the talks to normalize Belgrade-Pristina relations was initially fielded after the US administration appointed diplomat Matthew Palmer as its special envoy for the Balkans. Radio Free Europe said that the US decision, combined with Borrell’s political background and the fact that his country does not recognize Kosovo led to the idea to appoint the envoy.
It added that EU officials are considering two options for the new envoy: as subordinate to the new High Representative who would appoint him or her and as a special representative of the EU who would be named by the EU Council. The procedure to appoint the envoy should be completed by November 1 when Borrell takes over as the top EU diplomat.