In an effort to advance dialogue with Serbia, Sorensen meets with Kosovo leaders

2026-01-14 11:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Peter Sorensen, the European Union's special envoy for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, is staying in Pristina on Wednesday for meetings with the country's leaders, before also visiting Serbia in an effort to mark progress in the normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries.

Sorensen first met with the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, at the Kosovo Government Building early in the morning. Later, he was received by the country's President, Vjosa Osmani, in her office.

No media statements have been announced after the meetings. Sorensen is also expected to meet with the Kosovo opposition later. After the meetings in Pristina, Sorensen will travel to Belgrade for meetings with Serbian leaders. His visit to Kosovo comes at a time when the country is awaiting the establishment of new state institutions following the early parliamentary elections of December 28 – which Kurti’s Vetëvendosje Movement won convincingly.

This will be his first visit since his mandate was extended for another two years as envoy for the dialogue on the normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries. During his first mandate, he held only two meetings at the level of chief negotiators, which did not bear fruit.

The lack of progress in the dialogue during this time was attributed mainly to internal political developments in Kosovo and Serbia, rather than to the lack of engagement of the European mediator. Few in Brussels believe that Kosovo and Serbia will be ready to engage in dialogue to normalize relations between them anytime soon.

It is believed that Kaja Kallas, who has yet to mediate any round of dialogue at the highest political level, will try to achieve something in the Western Balkans, after a difficult start she had as the EU's top diplomat.

Given that Brussels has often been sidelined on issues such as peace talks for Ukraine, the war in Gaza and the situation in Iran, EU officials joke that reaching an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia could be the "lowest-hanging fruit" the bloc can achieve at this point.

Kosovo and Serbia have already reached an agreement on a path to normalization, known as the Ohrid Agreement, in 2023, but are not implementing it. Although the agreement has not been signed, the European Union insists that it is binding on both sides.

This 11-article agreement, among other things, provides for a level of self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo, mutual recognition of state symbols, so that Serbia does not block Kosovo's membership in international organizations, and requires Pristina and Belgrade to also implement all previous agreements reached during the 15-year dialogue. /REL