Impartiality of EU mediators in the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue

Question for written answer  E-001152/2021/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Lukas Mandl (PPE)

On 22 February 2021 EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Miroslav Lajčák gave an interview on the Dialogue to the ‘European Western Balkans’ web portal. In the background was a map of the Western Balkans which showed Kosovo as part of Serbia. Since the EU has a mediating role in the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and a large majority of MEPs, Member States and EU partner countries have no doubts about Kosovo’s statehood, the EU should maintain a neutral position and should in no way be perceived as biased.

• 1.Was the background selected by mistake? If so, what is the reason for a map of this kind being in use in an EU body?
• 2.Was the background selected deliberately? If so, why? Continually providing painful reminders of the suffering of the 20th century to people in the Western Balkan states should be avoided; rather, the suffering should be commemorated in a therapeutic way, by remembering the victims.
• 3.Will Mr Lajčák be able to continue to fulfil his special task of bringing the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue to a successful conclusion if he apologises to the citizens of the Western Balkan states, the European Parliament and the majority of the family of nations?