States publicly supporting Kosovo membership in Council of Europe

The United States of America, Germany, Great Britain, Finland, Austria and Albania are countries which have publicly given strong support to Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe (KiE). Part of this list has not yet become several KiE member states, at least publicly, since France has voiced reluctance.

The US through its embassy in Pristina has said it remains committed to supporting Kosovo in the Council of Europe.

“The United States remains committed to supporting Kosovo as it assumes its rightful place as a sovereign and independent state alongside its neighbours in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, including Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe”.

The decision for membership in these programmes and organisations requires the approval and approval of these institutions and their member states, not only of the United States of America”, the spokesman for the American Embassy in Kosovo, Erik Brassil, has declared. German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde and Germany's envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazzin, have also declared that Germany will support with all its capacities Kosovo's application for membership in the KiE.

“Mazi we expect to see Kosovo as part of the Council of Europe, families working together to promote human rights, democracy and rule of law. Kosovo belongs to the Council of Europe. All the best in the application process for membership” has written Rohde on the social Twitter network.

“We recognise Kosovo as an independent state. We will support Kosovo's membership in all European institutions. We are pro and will support with all our capacities the Kosovo membership application to the Council of Europe. We hope to contribute to this process”, Sarrazin said during a media conference held in Pristina.

While United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo Nicholas Abbott has described Kosovo's application as a sign of its readiness and determination to support key European values and further its international integration.

Kosovo's “desire to join the Council of Europe is a welcome signal of its dedication to democracy, rule of law and protection of the rights of all its citizens”.

“also is a sign of its readiness and determination to support key European values and further advance Kosovo's international integration I wish success!”, the British ambassador has written on the social Twitter network.

Kosovo has received support from Finland on its journey to this organisation.

Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Johanna Sumuvuri has said Finland fully supports Kosovo on its European road.

“Excellent discussions with Kosovo's deputy minister on various issues, including Kosovo's decision to apply to the Council of Europe. Finland fully supports Kosovo's efforts on its European path”, it has written on the social Twitter network.

Austria's Foreign Minister, Alexander Schalenberg, has also welcomed Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe.

The head of Austrian diplomacy has said the current political situation should be used to ensure a stable model of life in Europe.

“should make sure that the geopolitical moment caused by the fight of Russian aggression does not remain a moment of shock, but that it is used to ensure and confirm the way of Western life in long term”, the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs report said.

“Therefore, Foreign Minister Schallenberg was clearly expressed in favour of the new members' accession and welcomed the application for membership in the Council of Europe, delivered by the Republic of Kosovo on 12 May 2022”.

While, in addition to support, Albania has expressed commitment also to lobby for Kosovo's accession to the KiE.

That is how it was made known by the Government of Kosovo after the Kosovo Assembly delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, consisting of Saranda Boguyevci, as well as Ariana Musliu-Sashi of Arben Gashi, members, met today in Tirana with Albanian Parliament Speaker Lindita Nikolla.

“The head of the Republic of Albania's Parliament, Lindita Nicola, in turn, stressed Albania's commitment to lobbiing in all parliaments of the KiE member states to support Kosovo's accession to this body”, it was said in the Government's announcement.

While, it is France that has hesitated to provide Kosovo support for membership in this mechanism.

France's embassy in Kosovo has declared it belongs to Kosovo as a sovereign state to apply for membership in the KiE, however, has turned attention that the actual priority is to resume dialogue with Serbia.

The decision to apply to the Council of Europe belongs to Kosovo as a sovereign state. Kosovo's future is to become its member. The current priority is to resume dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, which will contribute to their European approach and to the long-term stabilisation of the Balkans”, the French Embassy's statement said.

On the other hand, it is said that “calls on both sides to fully engage in this direction and to refrain from any unilateral action that could spur tensions”.

Kosovo has applied for membership in the Council of Europe 12 May.

Otherwise, procedures require a Council of Europe member state to propose Kosovo's membership in the Committee of Ministers. After that, the Council of Europe Assembly demands opinion on whether Kosovo meets the judicial criteria for becoming a member of power.

Membership requires 2/3 of the overall votes Kosovo has, given the states that have recognised our country.