Former Slovenian president rejects EU candidacy

Slovenia's former President Borut Pahor has opted out of consideration for the post of the EU's next representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue, citing incompatible views on EU enlargement, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

"My personal views on EU enlargement deviate from official EU policy," he said on 3 February as he announced that he had changed his mind and had not formally applied for the post.

Pahor advocates for the admittance of new member states in a package. He believes that promoting the idea that Montenegro and Albania should join as soon as possible is "more of an obstacle than an incentive in terms of the geopolitical stability of the region".

Moreover, the appointment of Slovenian diplomat Marta Kos as the European commissioner for enlargement does not contribute to his candidacy, which he accepts "with full understanding".

Pahor also said it has become clear to him through "countless informal conversations that they are looking for a diplomat rather than a politician," whereas he thinks that the time has come for a politician to serve in this post.

The current envoy, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčak, told Pahor last April about his intention to withdraw from the post early and invited him to consider competing for the post.

According to Pahor, he was ready to take up the post immediately if appointed.

Lajčak's term was supposed to end on 31 August 2024, but the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy Josep Borrell decided to leave the decision to his successor, Kaja Kallas. It was subsequently extended until 31 January this year.

Pahor had been immediately backed by the Slovenian government and president, and he thanked Prime Minister Robert Golob, President Nataša Pirc Musar and the Foreign Ministry for their support.

Pahor served as the president from 2012 to 2022. After the end of his term, he has focused on speaking engagements and set up a non-profit called Friends of Western Balkans.