Italian diplomat poised to become "temporary" EU envoy to Kosovo

Apr 20, 2011, 14:35 GMT

Brussels - The European Union is set to appoint an Italian career diplomat, Fernando Gentilini, as a stop-gap envoy to Kosovo, diplomats from the bloc said on Wednesday.

The EU is planning to strengthen its position in Pristina by having a single representative there, rather than separate ones for EU governments and the EU's executive, the European Commission.

A new 'super-envoy' is expected to be picked in September, but the mandate of the current representative of EU member states expires on April 30.

Gentilini is expected to fill the position of EU Special Representative (EUSR) until the permanent set up is finalized, a diplomat told the German Press Agency dpa.

The decision was set to be approved by EU ambassadors on Wednesday and was expected to be made public at a later stage by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the source added.

Gentilini currently works as an advisor to Ashton in Brussels, and is involved in EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

He is set to inherit the role of EUSR from Dutchman Pieter Feith, who is set to continue working in Pristina as the head of the International Civilian Office, the organization backed by the countries which recognize Kosovo's independence.

Only 22 out of 27 EU member states have made that choice.

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