Sorensen prepares to advance dialogue amid tensions between Brussels, Washington

He has held meetings with Kosovo and Serbian leaders, including Kosovo President and Prime Minister Vjosa Osmani and Albin Kurti, as well as with Serbian top diplomat Marko Djuric, and Minister for European Integration of Serbia Tanja Miscevic, within the framework of the Security Conference in Munich, Germany.

Sorenseni has announced that each meeting he has held after receiving the mandate in early February, including those with senior officials of Germany and France, as well as various international diplomats, with the aim of advancing dialogue. So far, however, he has not announced the development of discussions with American officials.

This lack of communication with American officials who in the past have played a significant role in the process comes at a critical moment for transatlantic relations, due to increasing tensions between Washington and Brussels, which have intensified after President Donald Trump's return to the White House.

One of Sorensen's predecessors Miroslav Lajcak's recent orders, which also remains an important guide for the future of dialogue, has been the need to establish contacts between the EU and the US as soon as possible and reach an agreement on a common approach to the Western Balkans.

In March, however, concrete steps are expected for the functioning of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, including further engagement at the political and diplomatic level. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Kaya Kallas is expected to play a key role in leading the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process.

Kallas has stressed several weeks ago that he has heard criticism about the up-to-date forms of dialogue between the two countries, and has warned that along with Sorensen he will analyse the possibilities of how the process of dialogue can become functional and efficient.

Kosovo leaders have asked several times from new EU structures to insist on implementing the agreement on the road towards normalising relations reached in 2023, and not to forget this agreement every time dialogue is mentioned, along with the expectation that the new US administration will advance mutual recognition.

Kosovo and Serbia have reached a “historic agreement” two years ago, originally in Brussels, then in Ohrid. However, despite the insistence of European diplomats that the Brussels and Ohrid Annex Agreement are legally binding, it has not yet been implemented, while tensions continue to threaten regional stability.

By contrast, while the scope of great research for “the resolution's version” is expected to continue in the face of uncertainties surrounding Europe, along with new geopolitical overtones, the course of global players in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue remains to be seen.