Latinovic: Denmark will want to highlight Sorensen, so he’s not overshadowed by Kaja Kallas

Branka Latinovic, a member of the Forum for International Relations, believes that Denmark, during its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, will likely be more engaged with the Kosovo issue than Poland was during its term, given that the EU Envoy for the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, Peter Sorensen, is Danish.

“They will certainly want to encourage and highlight him, so that he is not merely in the shadow of Kaja Kallas, but instead has appropriate activities that are visible and recognizable. However, it seems to me that, this year, the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, particularly the full resumption of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, has been more in the hands of the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs than in those of the EU Council. The Council hasn’t done much to make the negotiation process more effective,” Latinovic told Kosovo Online.

How much Denmark will actually engage with the dialogue, she added, also depends on other developments.

“I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that the EU’s focus now shifts primarily to the Middle East, particularly Iran, given the obligations that the EU has, specifically, member states like France and Germany, as well as the UK as a former member, since they are parties to the Iran nuclear deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if the EU, together with the US, now turns more in that direction. Of course, Trump will want to take the lead on any deal, but every agreement is multidimensional, and its implementation will also depend on the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Latinovic said.