KiE, Maliqi: Key EU states can punish Kosovo due to loss of confidence in Kurti

Politologist Agon Maliqi in an interview Voice of America, has commented on complications and expectations regarding the issue of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. Maliqi underlines that, although Kosovo's supporting states in Europe have an interest in preventing a failure to the process, some of them may seek to express their dissatisfaction through the vote against Kosovo's accession, as the form of punishment for the current government or as an expression of their discontent with Prime Minister Albin Kurti's policies.

Among the countries that display a more suspicious position on the issue are France, Germany and Italy, which display a more reserved position on the Kosovo issue being put on the agenda of the Council of Ministers of Europe, Malchi praised.

According to him, France in particular but Germany and Italy are even more vocal in this regard.

It's possible. Supportable Kosovo states, the main ones that are in Europe like Germany, France and Britain, believe they do not want to see Kosovo fail, that is to vote against Kosovo's accession, but as a form of perhaps punishment and political discipline or expression of their overall discontent or loss of confidence in Prime Minister Kurti, there are signals resisting to put it into the agenda of the Council of Ministers' decision. Especially France, but Germany and Italy are more vocal on Quinn's side in this direction. But this is an ongoing issue because there is probably still expectations that Prime Minister Kurti will take that required step regarding association and remain to be seen these days what his steps will be”, he said.