17/07/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 17 July, the European Commission appointed Marko Makovec Principal Adviser for Reconciliation and Normalisation Western Balkans within its Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST). This department implements the EU’s enlargement and eastern neighbourhood policy, helping candidate countries for accession to satisfy the criteria laid down by the Treaty on European Union and the European Council. The date on which this decision takes effect will be specified at a later stage. Marko Makovec, a Slovene national, was until recently Head of Cabinet to the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. (SP)