Polish Sikorski candidate to succeed Fule

European capitals have already begun the process of nominating officials for the new European Commission, which will be appointed after the European Parliament elections in May, the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP) has learned from reliable sources in Brussels. It seems that the outcome of these talks will not be encouraging for countries in the enlargement process, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Indeed, the most serious option is that the portfolio for the enlargement of the European Union would go to Poland, or another country that is not a strong advocate for further enlargement. If this is realized, the most likely new commissioner for enlargement is, as we have learned, Radoslav Sikorski, the current head of diplomacy of Poland. He would succeed Štefan Füle, the current commissioner, who has ambitions to take over another portfolio in the European Commission.

Estimates in Brussels are that in the next mandate period, none of the countries will make significant progress and fulfill all the conditions for membership, so there is no point in pushing someone who would keep enlargement high on the list of priorities for that position. This development, according to our source, has likely removed Miroslav Lajčák, former High Representative, who is strongly lobbying for a high position after the EU elections, from the race for that position.

- A lot will depend on the success of right-wing parties in the EU elections. Many fear their growth and their negative impact on the mood for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans - our source states.

Another race, which also concerns Bosnia and Herzegovina and its relations with the EU, is for the position of High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the EU, currently held by Baroness Catherine Ashton. NAP sources point out that Ashton will almost certainly not run again and that the decision on this position will be made between Berlin and Paris.

- If Germany takes this position, it will mean that Berlin intends to play a more active role in events in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well - a diplomatic source told the Bosnian news agency Patria.