Brussels – Marta Kos will make history as the first Commissioner for Enlargement from a former Yugoslav country. Tasked with overseeing one of the most pivotal portfolios in the next European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen, Kos is poised to bring “an energy comparable to the historic momentum” of the EU’s enlargement two decades ago. “I feel the same motivation and commitment,” Kos affirmed during her confirmation hearing before the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on 7 November.
Apart from a brief six-month tenure of Slovenia’s Janez Potočnik in the Prodi Commission (between May and November 2004, when Slovenia joined the EU and Potočnik worked alongside Günter Verheugen), the Enlargement portfolio has never been entrusted to a representative from a Balkan country. This makes Kos’s appointment particularly significant, as she will draw on Slovenia’s own integration experience to support other candidate nations, both in the Balkans and beyond.
The challenges for the new mandate
Kos will serve exclusively as Commissioner for Enlargement, without the Neighbourhood Policy portfolio, as had been the case in recent years. “Completing our Union further is both a strategic, economic, and moral imperative,” reads the mission letter from President Ursula von der Leyen to the new Commissioner. Kos has pledged to be “very strict” in this “merit-based” process because “we can only accept countries that close all negotiation chapters and respect European values.” The goals are already tangible, with “the opportunity to close the chapters with Montenegro by the end of 2026 and with Albania by the end of 2027.”
Another priority will be the gradual integration of candidate countries, with the aim to “show not only governments but especially citizens that they can benefit even before entry.” Kos has expressed her willingness to extend this approach to new sectors, while emphasising the need for a robust communication campaign, both within candidate countries and current EU members, to “spread reliable information, even involving influencers.” Kos has also made clear her commitment to civil society, stating, “I will hold meetings during every visit, and I want to double the funds allocated.” She has reaffirmed her dedication to the EU’s core values, including rule of law, democracy, freedom, equality, and human rights, adding: “Article 2 of the EU Treaty must be our guiding star.”
The issue of Ukraine will be another key focus, particularly in terms of reconstruction and the accession process. Kos will be responsible for “leading the Commission’s continued and sustained support for Kyiv,” as outlined by von der Leyen. Through the Ukraine Instrument, “we are already working on internal reforms, reconstruction with international partners, and supporting private investments,” Kos explained. However, she acknowledged that progress on Ukraine’s EU accession “will depend on the length of the war. The hope is to begin negotiations on key clusters at the start of 2025.”
Kos also addressed several other sensitive issues in her hearing. For example, the stalled accession negotiations with North Macedonia, which are currently blocked due to Skopje’s refusal to amend its constitution on minority rights: “The Macedonian government must do it, and the dispute with Bulgaria must be resolved according to EU values.” On the hot topic of the political crisis in Georgia, which has frozen Tbilisi’s EU aspirations, Kos made it clear that the withdrawal of the laws that “trample European values” – the foreign agents law and the law against the LGBTQI+ community – is a “precondition” for reopening dialogue. Regarding the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, Kos, alongside the future EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, will need to “find new ways if things do not work.” However, she firmly stated, “We will never consider a territorial exchange.”
Migration, which is part of Kos’s portfolio in coordination with Commissioner-designate for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner, will also be a critical area of focus. “Enlargement and migration are two sides of the same coin,” Kos pointed out, noting that future EU members must be prepared to manage migration. She also addressed the Italy-Albania agreement, remarking that “at the moment it leaves much to be desired.”
Who is Marta Kos
Marta Kos, born on 28 June 1965 in Prevalje, is a prominent Slovenian figure whose career spans sports, journalism, diplomacy, and politics. A former Slovenian and Yugoslav swimming champion, Kos transitioned from athletic success to academia, earning degrees in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Ljubljana.
Kos began her professional journey in journalism, serving as a correspondent in Germany for Radiotelevision Slovenia and Deutsche Welle. She later moved into politics, first as the head of the Slovenian government’s press office and eventually as its spokesperson.
Her diplomatic career took off in 2013 when she was appointed Slovenia’s ambassador to Germany. Recognised for her contributions, she was named Ambassador of the Year by Diplomatisches Magazin in 2016 and was awarded Germany’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. From 2017 to 2020, Kos served as Slovenia’s ambassador to Switzerland. Following her diplomatic tenure, she became a consultant for businesses and international organisations based in Switzerland.
In 2021, Kos co-founded the ONA VE (She Knows) Association alongside Slovenia’s current President Nataša Pirc Musar and Minister for Digital Transformation Emilija Stojmenova. The association focuses on amplifying women’s representation in the media and public discourse. Kos has also been active in politics, aligning with the centre-left Freedom Movement led by Prime Minister Robert Golob. She served as the party’s vice-president and briefly announced her candidacy for the Slovenian presidency in June 2022 before withdrawing.
In 2024, during the European election campaign, Kos was considered a potential lead candidate for the Freedom Movement’s list but declined. She later emerged as a top contender for Slovenia’s representative in the next European Commission. Initially, Prime Minister Golob proposed Tomaž Vesel for the role, but under pressure to ensure gender balance in the College of Commissioners, Kos, with her impressive credentials as a former ambassador to Germany and Switzerland, was ultimately chosen for the position.
