The EU Council appointed, on 25 January, Samuel Zbogar as EU special representative in Kosovo. Zbogar will also work as head of the EU office in Kosovo, a position which he has held since 21 December 2011. He is a former Slovenian minister for foreign affairs and a diplomat with 24 years of experience in strategic postings, including in China, the UN in New York, and in Washington DC. Zbogar will take office on 1 February and his mandate initially runs until 30 June 2013. The EU special representative will work to promote a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo while contributing to stability and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. His tasks will include offering the Union’s advice in the political process, strengthening the EU presence in Kosovo and ensuring its coherence and effectiveness.