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Brussels/Ljubljana – The Slovenian candidate for European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos successfully passed the hearing at the Foreign Affairs Committee (Afet). During the three-hour hearing, she highlighted support for Ukraine as an absolute priority, but was also the target of allegations regarding her political past. She described the enlargement and reform of the union as a strategic necessity.
A larger and reformed EU is a strategic necessity, Kos emphasized in her presentation. She assured that in the event of confirmation as commissioner, her primary goal would be to provide support to countries wishing to join the EU.
According to her, for the first time in ten years, a real possibility exists that we will bring one or two countries to the end of the negotiation process. Accession negotiations with Montenegro could be completed by the end of 2026, and with Albania by the end of 2027, she said.
She also announced close cooperation with Kyiv in bringing Ukraine closer to the union. Kos, who will also oversee assistance to Kyiv as commissioner, stressed that European economic, military, and political support not only helps Ukrainians but also defends the entire European continent and the world order based on international law and multilateralism. She announced that, if confirmed, she would visit Ukraine immediately after taking office.
The hearing was also marked by accusations of past collaboration with Yugoslav secret services, which Kos strongly denied. She also rejected the claim that she comes from the circle of former President Milan Kučan and the Mayor of Ljubljana Zoran Janković, who are said to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She was congratulated for a successful hearing and confirmation before the committee, among others, by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and President of the state Nataša Pirc Musar. (November 7)
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