Nestorovic: Lajcak's experience qualifies him to become the new OSCE Secretary General

The deputy director of the NGO "Community Building Mitrovica," Nemanja Nestorovic, says for Kosovo Online that the chances of Miroslav Lajcak being elected as the new Secretary General of the OSCE are high, given his years of experience in diplomatic work in the Western Balkans.

"Moreover, in 2019, he held one of the leadership positions within the OSCE. His experience in the Western Balkans, primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, makes him a qualified candidate. Additionally, his role as the EU Special Envoy for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina further strengthens his qualifications for the position of OSCE Secretary General," Nestorovic said.

He points out that it is important to remember that all 57 OSCE member states must agree on one candidate for the organization's secretary general, with each having its own personal interests.

"Among these countries are also the United States and Russia. Russia will de facto support his candidacy, as will Serbia, since Lajcak is from Slovakia, which has not recognized Kosovo's independence. However, some other countries within the OSCE might oppose this precisely because of the divided stance on Kosovo," Nestorovic explained.

If consensus is reached on the election of the Slovak diplomat, he emphasizes that the issue of Lajcak's successor as the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue would then arise.

"His selection and appointment might lead to a new political momentum in the dialogue, which is de facto dead. However, all of this requires additional time, and there is no dialogue or progress at the moment. On the other hand, the selection of a new EU envoy for the dialogue would further prolong the lack of dialogue, maintaining this status quo or what we might call a 'dead dialogue'," Nestorovic said.

In the past period, several names have been mentioned as potential successors to Helga Schmid, the current Secretary General of the OSCE. According to certain media reports, Miroslav Lajcak’s name is circulating in diplomatic circles, and he is reportedly interested in the position.