Latinovic: Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is currently not a focus for official London

Former ambassador and member of the Forum for International Relations, Branka Latinovic, assessed that the issue of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will not be a focus for the new special envoy of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, but rather greater control of migration flows in the region, which will be a key item at the Berlin Process summit to be held in London this fall. However, she does not rule out the possibility that, together with the EU's High Representative Kaja Kallas, Pierce could provide a stronger impetus related to the continuation and some form of finalization of the dialogue.

"From Karen Pierce, one should expect a new approach related to her new task. It should be kept in mind that she is the envoy of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans, which means not only the issue of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue relations but also in a broader context," said Latinovic for Kosovo Online. She estimates that Pierce's primary task and goal will be "good preparations" for the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in London.

"As far as I can see from what has been announced about the priorities, on which the United Kingdom will focus as the host and chair of that summit, it is something that is in continuity with her interest in the Balkans. In the foreground will be the issue of 'law enforcement', which involves the police, prosecutorial offices, border services, and migration flows. Which is again in the interest and focus of the United Kingdom. These positions do not change and will not change, especially since Britain itself is present in these stronger segments in Kosovo, primarily through its military contingent," explains Latinovic.

She also believes that the role of the British envoy for the Western Balkans in the dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina will largely depend on the scope of the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Kaja Kallas.

"We will see what the scope of the new European representative, Kaja Kallas, will be. Whether she (Pierce) will have room to be more actively involved or whether a model, a mode will be found on how to act synchronized with the High Representative and thus together provide a stronger impetus related to the continuation and some form of finalization of this dialogue," emphasizes Latinovic.