Pahor for Kosovo Online: Dialogue has stalled, I offer my plan to restore trust

Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor, who could replace Miroslav Lajcak as the EU's envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, told Kosovo Online that the dialogue has stalled due to a lack of trust, and that he offers his own plan to restore that trust and continue the dialogue.

When asked what he would change in the dialogue and where he sees a solution, Pahor responded that he cannot say at this time, but that he is interested in the position of the EU special envoy.

"I can't say now, until the process is initiated. I have decided to enter this process and then, if they accept this decision, I will present and offer all my credentials, provide my plan. The dialogue is at a standstill, there is a lack of trust and a way must be found to proceed with greater trust," said Pahor.

He noted that without progress in the dialogue, neither Kosovo nor Serbia can achieve anything for their more secure future.

In response to the question of whether it is possible for the entire Western Balkans to be in the EU by 2030, he admits that it is probably not possible, but without optimism, even 2050 will not be a realistic year.

"There was optimism in 2004, but it does not exist today. My presentation at the conference, when I spoke about the year 2030, was not met with applause because no one believes that by 2030 neither the EU nor the countries in the region will be ready. But, if we continue like this, then not even by 2050 will the region be in the EU. And, time is running out," Pahor pointed out in Ljubljana, where his institute "Friends of the Western Balkans" organized the conference "Western Balkans in the EU."

Given all the geopolitical challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, peace must be preserved, he stated.

"Let's not joke. We are responsible for preserving peace, stability, and the welfare of people in this part of Europe. Only the enlargement of the European Union is a sustainable guarantee of peace and security," Pahor concluded.