On 27 March, the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a recommendation to invite Kosovo to join the organisation, IntelliNews reports.
The decision was taken at a meeting in Paris, where the committee voted in favour of the recommendation put forward by Greek rapporteur Dora Bakoyannis. In her report, Bakoyannis called on Pristina to fulfil three conditions, one of which – the return of property to the Serbian Orthodox monastery Visoki Decani – has already been fulfilled.
According to a statement published on the CoE’s official social network, the next procedural step in Kosovo’s admission will be a plenary debate scheduled for 18 April. During that meeting, the Parliamentary Assembly will express its statutory opinion on the issue.
The recommendation received significant support, with 31 representatives voting in favour, four against and one abstention, Serbian broadcaster RTS reported. The representatives of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina voted against, as well as two Serb delegates who voted against Kosovo’s possible membership. The Council of Europe is made up of 46 countries.
Kosovo officials and representatives of various political parties praised the decision. Arben Gashi, MP from the Kosovo’s opposition LDK party, said:
“Victory … The first step has been completed, two more steps are to be done and it will be completed finally.”
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said Kosovo had committed to establishing the Union of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo – one of the main stumbling blocks in Belgrade-Pristina relations – but said the fulfilment of that commitment would come when Kosovo gained full membership of the Council of Europe.
A few days ago, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that Serbia could withdraw from the Council of Europe if Kosovo gains membership.
