Subotic: If Kalas were directly involved in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, it would be low on the priority list

Strahinja Subotic from the Center for European Policy tells Kosovo Online that it is in Belgrade's interest for Kaja Kalas, the future head of EU foreign policy who will succeed Josep Borrell after Miroslav Lajcak's mandate expires, to appoint a representative or delegate for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue who could handle this task more objectively. He notes that Estonia, where Kalas is the Prime Minister, strongly supports Kosovo.

"Estonia is a distant country, and it lacks significant knowledge regarding Belgrade-Pristina relations. They strongly support Kosovo, which may cause some to question their objectivity," Subotic says.

He emphasizes that Kalas will be "110 percent focused on Russia during her mandate," as well as on Israel, and if she were also to deal with the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, it would be among her lowest priorities, which is detrimental to regional stability.

"I assume that member states are aware of this and will actually request her to delegate someone because it has proven beneficial that Borrell appointed Lajcak. Resolving Belgrade-Pristina relations requires the constant presence of a delegate who will travel non-stop between Belgrade and Pristina and adequately inform all member states about the situation on the ground," Subotic says.

The very proposal that Kalas should be the head of EU diplomacy, he adds, is not surprising considering that she comes from Estonia, a country that has been the most vocal opponent of Russia.

"Kalas has made numerous proposals on how to sanction Russia, and these proposals have often been adopted. Therefore, she has significant power and potential to exert stronger pressure on Russia now that she is at the helm of the European Union's foreign policy," Subotic believes.