Are there other conditions for Kosovo to become a member of the KiE?

The Council of Europe Ministerial Committee's decision to forward the Parliamentary Assembly's application for membership was named as a major step that Kosovo took after the country concluded agreements with Serbia and pledged to implement the agreements, including the association.

If Kosovo manages to meet its goal of becoming a member of this organisation, there will be responsibilities that come with membership.

The task of the European organisation founded in 1949 is to protect law and democracy, freedom of expression and of media, equality and minorities in member states.

Apart from major Kosovo-Serbia political topics that are conditioned, not rarely in debate in Kosovo is said that even issues like the Civil Code that are not being approved by the Kosovo Parliament because of provisions that speak of common gender co-existence and the question of ownership of the Decani Monastery may be that Kosovo must meet for seats in the KiE.

AAK Parliament MP Besnik Tahiri, who is part of the Kosovo deputies' delegation to the Council of Europe, said in the discussions they have had in Strasbourg there is no firm condition for Kosovo.

In this context, Tahiri praised the Constitution and the laws of Kosovo, which he said are the reason why there is no condition for Kosovo.

“During the discussions we had here, there is no condition because the Constitution of Kosovo on the one hand and on the other, the laws related to Kosovo's conditions are the most advanced. Thus, the constitution is being made in full line with issues that concern minority and human rights. There was no request, at the same time this case has not been discussed”, Tahiri assured.

For now, Tahiri said that there are no obstacles seen in Strasbourg, until he announced they are receiving “urime, congratulations and support”.

However, he says that after the first step company by the Committee of Ministers, the focus has shifted to convincing MPs from member states who make political decisions.

The head of the AAK's Parliamentary Group, which is located in Strasbourg along with deputies of various parties from the Parliament, said they have MPs from non-recognition states on the target so that Kosovo can secure as many votes as possible.

The “currently under way is mostly the vote in Assembly, which has been in the Committee of Ministers, now we are discussing with MPs. We had meetings with various delegations yesterday, mostly with places we didn't know. So yesterday with the deputy [Arben] Gashi has had meetings for discussions with the chairman of the Cyprus delegation, we have had discussions with the head of the Armenia delegation. We're talking to places that haven't recognized us since we've had as many votes”.

Tahiri says Hungary's vote caught them unawares. Therefore, he says they will commit to discussing with their Hungarian colleagues to understand why they made such a decision until they recognise Kosovo's independence.

A case which has been somewhat surprising to us has been the question of voting against Hungary and we have discussed yesterday, but one more reason why they are opposed. It is seen that there may be some political reason because countries that have not recognised us, so that they have problems, at least have abstained. Against them have been some states that have primarily linked Kosovo to their internal problems. So, the discussion at the six-month summer session and at the next two sessions this year will be to discuss with MPs. We, for example, had discussions with the head of the Cyprus delegation yesterday with Deputy Gashi. We're talking to places that haven't recognized us since we've had as many votes”.

Tahiri voiced optimism about following the following procedures, saying it is a moment and a good spirit knowing that the Russian Federation is exempt.

The KiE is expected to appoint a rapporteur who will issue a report that can determine the issue of Kosovo's full membership.

If no obstacles are presented on the road, the KiE Parliamentary Assembly will discuss and vote at a upcoming meeting in June or October.