Dirk Schuebel takes charge of the EU Office and calls for the swift establishment of institutions in Kosovo

Dirk Schuebel has begun his mandate as the European Union Ambassador to Kosovo, where he will simultaneously serve as Head of the EU Office and European Union Special Representative (EUSR), the EU Office in Pristina announced.

Upon taking office, Schuebel called for the institutions to be formed without delay so that the European Union can fully engage with Kosovo and provide it with the assistance available to it.

According to him, an important opportunity lies ahead that must be seized. He said that, in the interests of all citizens, Kosovo needs functioning institutions capable of implementing the necessary reforms and fully benefiting from the EU Growth Plan, as well as from the substantial IPA funds expected to become available soon. Schuebel stressed that making the most of these opportunities requires political responsibility, efficient institutions and a clear focus on reforms and the European integration agenda.

The ambassador said he was ready to cooperate with Kosovo’s institutions, political entities, civil society, the media and all communities. The aim, he said, is for a multi-ethnic Kosovo to move forward toward EU membership on equal terms with its other Western Balkan partners.

Schuebel said he would support Kosovo’s European perspective, stressing that achieving this objective requires the engagement of the entire society and a shared commitment to treating EU integration as a priority beyond political differences.

He also said that he would support Kosovo’s constructive participation in the EU-mediated Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as progress toward the normalization of relations. On this issue, he will work closely with the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue, Peter Sorensen.

Recalling the EU’s more than 25 years of support since 1999, Schuebel stressed that the European Union will continue to stand by Kosovo as its strongest and most reliable partner, as well as its largest provider of financial assistance.

The statement said that the EU has provided Kosovo with more than €3.7 billion in assistance, including for reconstruction, institution-building, the rule of law, economic development and the creation of opportunities for young people.

Schuebel said that, through joint efforts, Kosovo’s European aspirations can be transformed into concrete results for all its citizens.

During his mandate, Ambassador Schuebel will be supported by Alexis Hupin, who has recently been appointed Deputy Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, as well as by the European Union team in the country.