Abstract: The article analyses the preventive diplomacy of a small state, Slovenia, in the context of its presidency of the Council of the EU in 2008, and the question of declaration of independence of Kosovo in that respect. The article, based on structured interviews with Slovenian diplomats involved in the EU presidency and/or the question of Kosovo, focuses on the role of Slovenia as a mediator between fulfilling expectations to support “the Kosovo cause” (which were present not only in Kosovo, but also in the USA, and some other EU countries), and retaining the relations with Serbia as conciliatory as possible. The analysis shows that Slovenia as the presiding country of the EU Council in the crucial period of Kosovo’s way to independence conducted its foreign policy activities  by resorting to the policy of a constant ‘balanced approach’ between Kosovo and Serbia. In addition to that, Slovenia as the presiding country had a role of mediator among certain international actors, which had opposing views of the question of Kosovo’s independence. However, Slovenia did not act in isolation – all activities of its foreign policy were accorded with the so called ‘Quint’ and other “important actors” in the region (contrary to popular belief also with the Russian Federation, which was perceived as a major protector of Serbian interests). The fact that Slovenia was perceived only as an executor of the EU policy towards the question of Kosovo allowed to fine-tune concrete Slovenian interests in the region and to retain the appearance of an impartial player, which is an important benefit of a small state in international relations.