On April 2nd Lajcak begins work as EU envoy for Kosovo- Serbia

According to a document he has seen Radio Free Europe, Lajcak will assume the new post on April 2nd, for a period of one year -- a day after EU ambassadors are expected to give their green light for his appointment.

According to the document, Lajcak's first task is to achieve “abnormalisation of the overall inclusion of relations” between Serbia and Kosovo.

This should be done through the completion of a legally binding <x0 dispute addressing all outstanding issues between the parties in line with international law and contributing to regional stability”, the document says.

EU-mediated negotiations were interrupted in 2018 after Kosovo imposed a 100 per cent tax on Serbian imports.

Lajcak's expected appointment has been met with scepticism in Kosovo, where President Hasim Thaci said weeks ago that his <x0->mission has been created to fail because of his commitment to prevent Slovakia from recognising Kosovo”.

The EU's first document by Radio Free Europe says Lajcak's mandate will also consist of improving neighbourly relations and reconciliation throughout the Western Balkans, increasing EU presence through public diplomacy, and contributing to the unity, consistency and effectiveness of EU action in the region.

Lajcak, who was nominated for the post by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, withdrew as Slovakia's foreign minister. That task had been exercised over an eight - year period.