Kos: We won't follow trends in exchange of territory between Kosovo and Serbia

European Union Enlargement Commissioner Slovenian Marta Kos has said she opposes the trends for exchange of territory between Kosovo and Serbia, and that in the process of dialogue a new way should be sought if it is seen that the way up to it does not yield results. She has said this at a hearing at the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission, where she must be confirmed as the next commissionary.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has received another five-year term, has entrusted former diplomat to Kos the enlargement process. These days, 26 candidates for commissionors are going through the hearing and confirmation process on parliamentary commissions.

Kos has said dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will be in the hands of senior representative Kaya Kallas, but that given the experience and recognition of the region, it will also be ready to co-operate in this area in order to move forward.

We need to move forward. It has been achieved very formally so far in dialogue. We have agreement on the road to normalisation of reports between Serbia and Kosovo. We expect Kosovo and Serbia to continue with implementation. If things don't work out, we have to find a new way. In the sense of Einstein's statement that madness is to keep doing the same thing every day waiting for another outcome I want to see different results. I'm sure there's a road where there's gonna be”, she said.

Asked what he expects from the role of the Trump administration in the region and for the ideas of exchange of territory between Kosovo and Serbia, if those ideas return, Kos has said she will not follow such ideas.

“What will happen after January when the new American president starts the mandate remains to be seen. As for the ideas mentioned, we must rely on what Europe can and should do, not on what others will say. Not in exchange for territory. No, the European Commission and I, if confirmed, will not follow these <x1-> trends, Kos said.

It has pledged to keep the enlargement process as a process based on the principle of individual merits. He has said there is now the possibility that Montenegro will complete negotiations by the end of 2026, while Albania until 2027. Kos has added that she will insist during her work on respecting media freedoms and the key role of civil society. According to her, countries that do not respect press freedom have no place in the EU.