Serbia cannot influence most anti-Kosovo states in KiE”

Periskopi

6 May 2024, 09:15(2 years ago)

Finland is strongly supporting Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. Even the chairman of Finland's Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, Kimmo Kiljunn, shows that even in the final phase, Kosovo will have the support of the Finnish state, but, as he says, the government should take some steps towards respecting the agreement [...]

Even the chairman of Finland's Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, Kimmo Kiljunen, shows that even in the final phase, Kosovo will have the support of the Finnish state, but, as he says, the government should take some steps towards respecting the Association Agreement.

According to him, it is extremely important that 1.7 million Kosovo citizens have access to the European Court of Human Rights.

“From the very beginning we have been supporters of the idea of Kosovo becoming a member of the Council of Europe. It is very important for us that 1.7 million Kosovo citizens have access to the European Court of Human Rights. We will continue to support you in the next few steps. At this stage, Kosovo institutions must take care of the security of all citizens and no more unnecessary tensions are allowed. Now, prior to the meeting of the Committee of Ministers, it would be very good for Kosovo to take some concrete steps for the Association of Serb majority municipalities. This is an agreement within dialogue with Serbia and it is important to respect”, he said of Teva 1.

Kiljunn, says Serbia has no force to stop Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe.

He considers that the newest state in Europe enjoys the support of most of its member states.

“We understand Serbia's position, but they cannot impose their stance on Kosovo's membership on the Council of Europe. A new state's admission is made by 2/3 of the majority, and Serbia cannot dictate it. From the Serbian delegation, I have been told that they will never recognise Kosovo's independence, but I have made it clear to them that they will never be part of the EU unless they resolve the issue. My response did not like it, but they understood the message”, the chairman of Finland's Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission said.

Kosovo received the green light from the Parliamentary Assembly for membership in the Council of Europe, and now the issue has been passed on to the Committee of Ministers.

The designer of the positive report on Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, Dora Bakojannis, has declared that no candidate has been asked more reforms than Kosovo before discussing membership in this organisation.