On September 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the commissioners team who will work during her new term. In charge of enlargement will be Marta Kos, a left-wing Slovenian diplomat who supports Ukraine but has made conciliatory statements towards Russia.
Von der Leyen announced on Tuesday that Kos would be in charge of examining Ukraine and Moldova membership applications. According to IPN, the running candidate will most likely be scrutinized by the European Parliament, taking into account her previous statements.
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“We must be critical of Russia but not close the doors. (…) Slovenia has always had a good relationship with the Russian Federation. But under the government of Prime Minister Janez Jansa, there has been a shift away from Russia in favor of the US,” Kos previously claimed.
Kyiv and Chisinau will most likely watch her comments closely as their governments aim to bring their countries into the EU by 2030.
The 27-member European Union has opened formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, but there are still several steps before full integration. On the other hand, as a native of a former Yugoslav republic, Marta Kos might pay more attention to the Balkan countries waiting to join the EU.