Will Biden appoint Engel as special envoy for the Balkans?

(Patria) - Former congressman Eliot Engel is the ideal person for the US President's special envoy for the Balkans, writes Balkan Insider, suggesting that the new US administration consider the candidacy of this influential former US senator, reports the Patria agency. 

- Even the Trump administration considered it necessary to have special envoys, so Matthew Palmer was there, and Richard Grenell was appointed for the negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. The Biden administration must not go back a step, but forward. Engel is the ideal person for that position – states the author of the text, Akri Cipa. 

The influential American politician, who led the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress for years, ended his term this year, which was marked by a commitment to American influence in the Balkans, especially on the issue of Kosovo, but also Bosnia and Herzegovina. The last hearing in the US Congress, which openly discussed President Joe Biden's new initiative in the Western Balkans, was organized and led by Engel, who knows the situation extremely well. 

A few weeks ago, Engel openly stated that he was ready to consider positions within the new administration, and ambassadorial positions were mentioned. However, according to Balkan Insider, the best position for Engel is special envoy. This, according to the author of the text, would also create a certain balance between the European Union's policy towards the region, especially Kosovo. 

- Borrell and Lajčak, the key EU figures, come from countries that do not recognize Kosovo's independence. Therefore, it is necessary for Engel, or rather the Biden administration, to balance the new transatlantic approach – it was stated.