Italian diplomat appointed as temporary EU envoy to Kosovo

May 6, 2011, 13:08 GMT

Brussels - Italian diplomat Fernando Gentilini is going to be the European Union's envoy to Kosovo for the next three months, the bloc's foreign policy chief announced on Friday.

'I am very pleased that (EU member states have), on the basis of my recommendation, appointed Fernando Gentilini as EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo,' Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

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

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 later this year, but the mandate of the current representative of EU member states expired on April 30.

Gentilini was asked to fill the gap until July 31. He inherits the EUSR role from Dutchman Pieter Feith, who continues in Pristina as the head of the International Civilian Office, the organization backed by the countries which recognize Kosovo's independence.

The Italian diplomat's appointment, expected before Easter, was delayed by member states' bickering over the status of the EU's relations with Kosovo.

Only 22 out of the bloc's 27 members have recognized Pristina's independence, making it difficult for the EU to have a common line on the matter.

Read more about EU Diplomacy

Read more about Kosovo