Kosovo needs at least two years for KiE membership

The committee, representing 46 EC member states, made that decision at an extraordinary meeting, with more than 2/3 of the votes.

In this decision there were 33 votes for, seven against and five abstentions.

But, until Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, it will take at least two years.

So at least a spokesman said. PACE for Klan Kosovo.

Francesc Ferrer said Political Affairs Committee of Democracy PACE will appoint a rapporteur for Kosovo, which within two years must submit a report to the committee for debate and approval.

“Comity (for Political Affairs and Democracy, St.red.) should assign a rapporteur to the issue at a next meeting (the next one will be held on 19-23 June in Strasbourg). Later, the rapporteur has two years since her appointment/it to submit a report to the committee for debate and adoption”, Ferrer told Klakosova.tv.

He said it was the Bureau of the KiE Parliamentary Assembly, which on 28 April referred to Kosovo's application for membership to the Commission for Political Affairs and Democracy.

On the other hand, he said the Bureau would also appoint two lawyers to prepare a report on Kosovo to see the country's legal system compatible with KiE standards.

“On the other hand, the Bureau will also appoint, to its next meeting on May 25th in Riga, two prominent lawyers who will prepare a report on the compatibility of the applicant's legal system, in this case Kosovo, with Council of Europe standards in line with PACE's established practice, which will be taken into account by the Commission's rapporteur for Political Affairs and Democracy”, the spokesman said. PACE, Francesc Ferrer.

Kosovo has applied for membership in the Council of Europe on 12 May 2022.