Kallas says Sorensen to seek to make Kosovo-Serbia dialogue functional

She warned that she will consider the opportunity, along with new dialogue envoy Peter Sorensen, to make dialogue functional between the two neighbouring countries.

“We have just appointed a special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. And, I'm going to sit with him in March to see how we're going to continue with this”, Kallas said in a joint conversation with the group “European Reference”, which includes about 20 European news agencies.

I really want to see how we can make this functional. I have addressed this even with Serbia's Foreign Minister. And, he told me he's really willing to invest time in normalization”, Kallas said, reports Radio Free Europe.

Kosovo and Serbia dialogue under the European Union's mediation since 2011. In recent years, dialogue has developed at a high level, between the leaders of the two countries, and at the level of chief negotiators.

During the bloc's nearly five-year term, Miroslav Lajcak, in early 2023 Kosovo and Serbia reached agreement on the road to normalisation of relations.

The agreement, which has not been signed, is legally binding for the parties, has said the bloc, which has accused Kosovo and Serbia of failing to implement the pact.

In the past, Kosovo leaders -- from the country's president, Vjosa Osmani, to Prime Minister Albin Kurti -- have criticised Lajcak for unbalannized access to dialogue and for occasionally listing Serbia.

His successor, Peter Sorensen of Denmark, officially began his work on February 1st.

It is not clear when it can hold Sorensen's first meeting under dialogue, as Kosovo held elections on February 9th and is expected to form the new government, while Serbia faces political uncertainty following the prime minister's resignation.

Kallas said he is waiting until Kosovo forms a new government, to see “how to move forward”.

Sorensen, as opposed to his predecessor, will deal only with dialogue between the two neighbouring countries, not with regional Balkan issues.

Sorensen's appointment is seen as positive, since 57-year-old recognises the region. Diplomats for many years had been engaged in Kosovo under the United Nations Organisation (UNMIK) Mission, as well as other roles in Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to policy connoisseurs, he does not need to be informed in advance of the people or the historical facts of the region, because he has already had the opportunity to create a close mirror.

Another argument that has been cited as positive by officials in Pristina is that he is from Denmark, a country that recognises Kosovo's citizenship, and will have equal access to dialogue.

Kallas reiterated Thursday that normalising neighbourly relations is necessary for Kosovo and Serbia to move forward.

“If they think they can move on European roads without normalisation of relations, then I think such a thing is not possible”, she said.