Slovenia's former President Borut Pahor is keen to succeed Miroslav Lajčak as the EU special representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue when his term ends in August. He enjoys the support of Prime Minister Robert Golob, who has discussed the bid with several EU stakeholders.

The special representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue, who also covers other regional issues in the Western Balkans, is nominated by the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

The final decision is taken by the Council of the EU, i.e. EU member states.

Since April 2020, the position has been held by Slovak diplomat Lajčak, whose mandate the Council extended in July 2022 for another two years, until 31 August this year.

Lajčak previously served as the Slovak foreign minister and as the high representative of the international community and the EU special representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Pahor confirmed his bid for the Slovenian Press Agency on 10 April after the newspaper Delo first broke the news, reporting that unofficially he is being aided by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry in his campaign.

The bid received an additional boost as Prime Minister Golob expressed his support with his office noting that he "held in the past month numerous bilateral talks with EU leaders and senior EU representatives" on the topic.

Pahor, who served two terms as Slovenia's president from 2012 to 2022, and as prime minister in 2008-12, has proved through his work that he is a great friend of the Western Balkan countries, Golob believes.

He said Pahor's efforts are aimed at integrating the region into the EU, thus ensuring peace and stability in the Western Balkans and, consequently, in the whole of Europe.

Pahor has also placed his experience of cooperation with the Western Balkan countries at the centre of his recently founded non-profit called the Friends of the Western Balkans.

Active since mid-March, the institution promotes dialogue, reconciliation, peaceful resolution of outstanding issues, economic development and the EU integration of the region.