Hipper: Process of selecting Lajcak's successor underway

BRUSSELS - European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper said on Tuesday the process of selecting a successor of outgoing EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak was underway.

"The mandate of EU Special Representative Lajcak remains in effect until the end of January and the selection process of his successor is currently underway. More details to follow," Hipper told a Brussels press briefing.

Lajcak's term expires on January 31.

According to media reports, the deadline to submit candidacies for the post expired on January 3.

Former Finnish FM Pekka Haavisto and Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen - who both have experience in Western Balkan affairs - have been mentioned the most frequently as candidates for the post.

Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor, also touted by the media as a potential candidate, recently said he had decided against applying for the position and cited several factors, including his disagreement with the official EU enlargement policy.