Accusations against EU Commissioner Marta Kos for collaboration with UDB

European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos is facing new allegations that she collaborated with the Yugoslav secret police known as the UDB in the 1980s.

The allegations were made by Slovenian MEP Romana Tomc, who claims to have obtained new documents and has asked the European Commission to open an investigation into the matter.

The allegations against Kos are not new. They were also mentioned during her confirmation hearing in the European Parliament in 2024, but the commissioner categorically denied them, describing them as "lies and disinformation."

The debate has recently been reignited following the publication of a book by Slovenian author Igor Omerza, who claims that archival documents suggest possible links to the former Yugoslav secret services.

However, the European Commission has stated that Kos has undergone a thorough vetting process and that her appointment as commissioner has been duly approved by the European Parliament.

The issue has also become a topic of political debate in Slovenia, especially in the run-up to elections in the country, while Kos is expected to face new questions in the European Parliament regarding these allegations, reports. Politico.

Who is Marta Kos?

Marta Kos has held the position of European Union Commissioner for Enlargement since 2024, succeeding Oliver Varhelyi in this position.

During her diplomatic career, she served as Slovenia's ambassador to several countries, including Germany and Switzerland. It was during her tenure in Berlin that she met Ursula von der Leyen, who was Germany's Minister of Defense at the time.

Her term as ambassador to Switzerland ended in 2020, when she resigned, citing disagreements with the government's foreign policy. She also confirmed that the resignation was also related to an extraordinary oversight of the way she ran the embassy in Bern, following complaints from some employees about her management style.

In addition to these positions, Kos has also served as Slovenia's ambassador to Latvia and Liechtenstein.

In Slovenian domestic politics, she was the vice-chair of the Freedom Movement party. In 2022, she announced her candidacy for president of the country, but during the election campaign she withdrew from the race and later left the party, stating that "it was no longer her party."

Kos is known as an experienced diplomat, business leader, and strategic communications expert. She has also led companies and organizations in the field of leadership and management training, and is the president of the women's association ONA VE.

Before entering diplomacy and business, Kos began her career as a journalist at RTV Slovenia. She then worked as a correspondent in Bonn for Deutsche Welle.

She later moved into state administration, where she served as director of the Office for Public Relations and Media in the Slovenian government and as government spokesperson.

In addition to his professional career, Kos also had a past in elite sports, being part of the Slovenian and former Yugoslav swimming teams.

During her career, she has received several awards and recognitions, including the Preseren Student Award, the title of “Ambassador of the Year 2016 in Germany” and the German President's decoration – the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Marta Kos was born on June 28, 1965. After a 16-year marriage, she divorced her first husband and is currently married to Henri Getaz, secretary general of the European Free Trade Association.

Her brother, Drago Kos, is one of the most internationally recognized Slovenian experts in the field of the fight against corruption.

The Geopost