The Council of the European Union has appointed German diplomat Dirk Schubel as the new EU Special Representative for Kosovo.
Schubel will take office on September 1, 2026, with an initial two-year mandate, replacing Estonian diplomat Aivo Orav.
With extensive experience, Schubel has worked in the European External Action Service, the European Commission and Germany’s Foreign Ministry. He currently leads the EEAS Division for Russia and previously served as EU Special Envoy for the Eastern Partnership and as Head of EU Delegations in Belarus and Moldova.
According to the EU Council decision, Schubel’s mandate will focus on supporting a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo while advancing the country’s European perspective.
Furthermore, he will monitor political, economic and security developments, promote human rights, the rule of law and the protection of communities, and strengthen EU coordination in Kosovo.
In addition, Schubel will provide political guidance to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and support the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to strengthen regional stability and good neighborly relations.
Meanwhile, Aivo Orav served as EU Special Representative for Kosovo from 2024 until March 2026. After his departure, Deputy EU Representative Eva Palatova temporarily assumed the role.
Finally, Palatova emphasized that the EU remains Kosovo’s strongest partner but noted that Kosovo’s political leaders and institutions carry the main responsibility for advancing the country’s European future.
/a.c/
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