Croatian newspaper: Brussels surprised by London's decision to send a powerful military to Balkans

In this way London is following Washington's steps, which has appointed a special envoy for the region, Gabriel Escobar, and a special envoy for election reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Matthew Palmer.

The European Union has a special envoy for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and other Western Balkan countries, Miroslav Lajcak, while European Foreign Action Service Executive Director (EEAS) Angelina Einchorst is leading BiH election reform talks on behalf of the EU, writes the Croatian newspaper “Jutarnji List”.

Brussels is not surprised by this London decision, which wants to remain an important factor in the region even after Great Britain leaves the European Union.

As a member of NATO, but also as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and member of the QUINT Group ( The United Kingdom certainly has an important role to play in the region, writes Croatian newspapers.

But some diplomats in Brussels are surprised that the British government has decided to place a military “heavyweight” in that position. Besides being head of the NATO Military Committee, he was also chief of the British Army General Staff.

A British Government statement concerning the appointment of special envoy for the Balkans reportedly shows a commitment to the stability and prosperity of the region.

Stuart Peach will take office once he resigns as chairman of the NATO military committee, which is the highest military post in this military alliance.

“As the prime minister's special envoy, Sir Stuart will work with Western Balkan leaders, as well as with other partners in the region and beyond, and with allies in the US and Europe in promoting and strengthening regional stability. His work will include promoting strong democratic institutions and an open society, helping fight organised crime and other common security challenges and encouraging solutions to the remaining conflicts, such as war crimes and missing”, the British government's statement said.

It says the British envoy to BiH will support High Representative Christian Schmidt and work with partners to support EU-brokered dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.

The same statement said the High Representative warned that BiH was facing the greatest existential threats in the post-war period and that there was a real possibility of division and further conflict.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quoted as saying that the Western Balkans are experiencing the greatest threat to stability and security in more than two decades. We have the responsibility to do everything we can to preserve the successes achieved through peace and dialogue. We cannot allow any return to the violence and divisions of the past. Mr. Peach's extensive experience and expertise will reinforce international efforts to protect peace and promote Euro-Atlantic integration in this region”.

The Croatian newspaper writes that “even though there are many disputes between the EU and Great Britain after Brex, in the Western Balkans they are co-operating and want to work together to promote pro-Western forces in the region, which are increasingly challenged by Russia's growing influence and other” factors.