Ambassador Aivo Orav, an Estonian diplomat with over 30 years of experience in national and EU diplomacy and EU affairs, officially assumed the position of Head of the EU Office in Kosovo / European Union Special Representative in Kosovo today. Ambassador Orav previously served as Estonia’s Permanent Representative to the EU and as the Head of EU Delegations to Montenegro and North Macedonia. He succeeds Czech diplomat Ambassador Tomáš Szunyog in this role.
“It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I take up the post of Head of the EU Office / EU Special Representative in Kosovo, an important EU partner in the Western Balkans. I pledge to work side by side with the EU’s local and international partners in Kosovo to drive forward our diplomatic and political relations, consolidate the EU’s position as Kosovo’s biggest investor, trade partner, and donor, and support Kosovo’s EU path and EU-related reforms,” said Ambassador Orav.
The ambassador is committed to coordinating EU efforts in Kosovo to promote stability, peace, democracy, and multi-ethnicity. He aims for Kosovo to make significant progress on its path to joining the EU with substantial support in crucial areas such as the rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and human rights.
“Kosovo will also benefit from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which will bring the EU’s Western Balkan partners closer to the EU single market, boost economic growth, and accelerate socio-economic convergence. I understand that Kosovo has recognised the opportunities offered and has taken a great deal of ownership in preparing the Reform Agenda, which should be timely implemented,” said Ambassador Orav.
Highlighting that the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans, Ambassador Orav concluded: “Coming from Estonia, a country whose accession to the European Union has been a success story, I am committed to going the extra mile to support Kosovo in becoming an EU success story as well.”
