Finnish MP: We will support Kosovo to Council of Europe

Finland's Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Kimmo Kiljunen says his state will continue to support Kosovo to join the Council of Europe. He hopes that this process for Kosovo will be successfully completed over the next year.

At the beginning of this year, Kosovo failed to join the Council of Europe.

The reason for this was the condition for the Association of Serb majority municipalities by international partners.

Disillusioned with the fact that Kosovo failed to ensure majority support on the Committee of Ministers is being expressed by Finland's Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Kimmo Kiljunen.

Finnish diplomat said his state, with as much power as it can, has supported Kosovo for membership in this organisation.

He expects that after the national elections Kosovo will join the Council of Ministers agenda, but he underlines that progress should be in dialogue with Serbia during this period.

“Finland will support Kosovo on its road to Europe. We have supported Kosovo to join the Council of Europe as well, because prior to its entry into the European Union, it is important that you initially join this organisation. Over a period, a good moment appeared to be set up for Kosovo to join the Council, but there was not enough support in the Community of Ministers. After elections in Kosovo that I am hoping will go well, I believe you will return to the agenda. My support will be in this process”, Kiljunne says.

The Finnish politician estimates it is in the interest of the Serb community that Kosovo joins the Council of Europe.

He says that he has explained this to others when he has sought support for the newest country in Europe.

We all need to understand that the focus is more on citizens than on states. With membership in the Council of Europe, the beneficiaries would be citizens of Kosovo, especially communities. You will have access to the European Court and all other human rights mechanisms. That's why I say Serbian citizens within Kosovo would benefit greatly because if they say they are being wronged, then they have the opportunity to address their problems. It is truly sad that Kosovo has not yet joined the Council of Europe”, the Finnish MP says.

On April 16th, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe supported the report by Dora Bakojannis, which recommends Kosovo's membership in the organisation.

But key European countries such as Germany and France conditioned the vote with the realisation of the first steps towards establishing association.