The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Kaja Kallas, will soon decide between two candidates to succeed Miroslav Lajčák as the EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Peter Sorensen, a Danish diplomat, and Pekka Haavisto, former Finnish Foreign Minister, are the only candidates who applied before the deadline last Friday. While the EU has not provided further details, they confirmed that the selection process is ongoing. Annita Hipper, a spokesperson for the EU, stated that Lajčák’s mandate remains in effect until the end of January, and updates will be provided in due course.

The new appointment is expected to be made before the end of January to avoid any gaps in the role. However, the decision requires consensus from EU member states, and working groups within the EU Council are currently reviewing the matter.

Diplomatic sources in Brussels suggest both candidates are strong choices, though there are differences. If Kallas opts for a figure with a stronger political weight, Haavisto is seen as the preferred option. Haavisto, like Lajčák, served as Foreign Minister of a member state, which was a key consideration when Lajčák was appointed.

On the other hand, if Kallas wants to take a more active role in the political aspects of the dialogue, Sorensen is considered more suitable due to his extensive experience within the EU’s External Action Service (EEAS) and his expertise in technical mediation.

Both candidates have significant experience in the Western Balkans. Sorensen has worked in several EU roles, including Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Head of the EU Office in Sarajevo, while Haavisto’s experience includes working in Kosovo and Serbia and supporting the EU’s enlargement process.

The new special representative will focus solely on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, unlike Lajčák, who also handled other regional issues. The EU has insisted on the full implementation of all previous agreements as a condition for progress in Kosovo and Serbia’s EU integration processes, regardless of who facilitates the dialogue.