“It is time for Kosovo to join the Council of Europe, Association key element”

“This is the position Italy has taken along with France, Germany and other EU member states, and this is what we are trying to achieve in Strasbourg”, Gori told Tanjug about the Council of Europe's application for Kosovo membership.

He added that Italy's stance is very clear and that Rome believes that association is a key element for the process of normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Therefore, we are convinced that if there is no substantial progress on this purpose, it is not the right time to deal with or put the Kosovo candidacy issue on the Council of Europe”, the Italian ambassador said.

Asked about the steps Italy is taking to postpone Kosovo's membership in the KiE, he said steps have already been taken in Strasbourg in co-ordination with other EU member states.

“We are trying to encourage Kosovo authorities to make progress on the issue of Association, but so far we have not seen any progress”, Gori said and reaffirmed that Italy's position is that it is not yet the right moment for Kosovo's membership in the KiE.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that he would not share the draft association state at the Constitutional Court, citing it being presented as a condition for Kosovo's membership in the KiE this month.