The British government appointed Dame Karen Pierce to replace Lord Peach as its Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, a press release said on Friday. Pročitaj više

“As one of the UK’s most experienced diplomats, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG has been appointed the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, charged with driving forward the UK’s strategic objectives across the region, including preparations for the Summit,” the press release said adding that the UK will host a Berlin Process summit with Western Balkans leaders in Autumn 2025.

It quoted Foreign Secretary, David Lammy as saying that “with her experience and expertise, Dame Karen Pierce is the ideal person to drive this important work forward”. “I would like to thank Lord Peach for his personal dedication and service in advancing UK interests in the Western Balkans over the past 3 years. The Western Balkans is of long-standing importance to the UK, and our partnerships in the region are central to our efforts to tackle irregular migration and bear down on the evil trade in human lives. Hosting the Berlin Process in the UK demonstrates our commitment to European Security, and to delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change,” he said.

Dame Karen Pierce was British Ambassador to the United States and the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York – the first female officer to hold each position – as well as UK Ambassador to Afghanistan.

London media recalled that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made the Balkans a key focus after signing agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo to tackle organized immigration crime.