Albania lobbies for Kosovo membership in KiE, hands over a non-paper

Albania's representatives to the Council of Europe have handed over to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers a non-paper document for Kosovo in the form of an official document.

In the document, which was handed over to permanent missions three days ago, it is said that Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe has already been supported by a considerable number of members.

The Republic of Kosovo is pleased to announce that its application for membership has already been supported by a considerable number of EC members. Recent talks with members of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) have also shown strong support for such membership”, the document says, commemorating that Kosovo recognises 74 percent of the member states of this international organisation, writes Kosovo Online.

It was stressed that Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe will not influence the decisions of states that do not recognise Kosovo.

Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, as noted, “is fully in line with the Status and the goals of this organisation”. The document also referred to the example of Switzerland, saying that it is an example that a country that is not a member of the United Nations can be admitted to the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe's legal standing has never been that a state that has not yet been a member of the United Nations cannot become a member of this organization. Otherwise, valid membership of the Swiss Federation, which was admitted to the Council of Europe in 1963 and not a member of the UN, would not be possible until 2002”, is said in non-paper, which the General Consul of Kosovo, through Albania, has forwarded to representatives of most of the permanent missions of member states.

Membership in the Council of Europe, said further, would strengthen dialogue with Serbia and provide new <x0-powerary in trying to find a lasting solution, with that as well as lasting peace in this part of the European continent”.

Kosovo remains committed to EU-led dialogue in order to find stable normalisation and mutual recognition with the Republic of Serbia. It's in national interest, but also in Europe's interest, to be an example of the successful resolution of the post-cida conflict, in a truly civilized European way”, the document is highlighted.

The document also says that the situation in Europe and the Council of Europe's position has changed dramatically due to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe and sanctions were imposed, which Kosovo joined.

This way, Kosovo lined up on Europe's side at this crucial moment in history.

“In this direction, the opinion of the Directorate for Juridical Council and International Public Law from 2008 is a stance based on the relevant circumstances of the time and since then many substantial and relevant changes have taken place”, the document says.

The Council of Europe's 2008 thought was written prior to Kosovo's declaration of independence, which has since been accepted into the Council of Europe institutions as the Council of Europe Development Bank and the European Commission for Democracy through Law (The Venice Commission).

The document stressed that many members of the Council of Europe have publicly and clearly expressed their desire and support for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe.

The document also refers to the International Court of Justice ruling from 2010, which concluded “the adoption of the February 17th 2008 Declaration of Independence has not violated general international law, Security Council Resolution 1244 or constitutional framework”.

The document stresses that Kosovo meets all criteria for joining the Council of Europe, while adding that it is the only democratic country in Europe that is not yet a member of this international organisation.

“Sic is envisioned in the Council of Europe's provisions and policies, minorities and groups and citizens potentially vulnerable or discriminated against will benefit more from such a powerful institutional protection,”, said in the non-paper document.

“is not only in the best interest of Kosovo citizens to enjoy additional rights regarding EC membership. It is also in the absolute interest not only of the Council of Europe but of the entire continent to finally close the gap and become a major step. towards democracy, human rights and peace”, the document says.