PACE backs Kosovo's bid for Council of Europe inclusion

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy has endorsed Kosovo's application to join the Council of Europe, PACE announced on March 27.

The committee praised Kosovo's comprehensive set of commitments  and pointed out that “membership would lead to the strengthening of human rights standards by ensuring access to the European Court of Human Rights for all those who are under Kosovo’s jurisdiction.”

The Assembly is scheduled to debate on this recommendation on April 18, with the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers making the ultimate decision regarding Kosovo's membership.

Membership of the Council of Europe would “catalyse momentum for Kosovo to continue to make progress in strengthening human rights, democracy and the rule of law and address outstanding challenges and matters of concern”, the PACE statement said.

Membership of Kosovo in PACE: what is known

Kosovo applied to join the Council of Europe in May 2022.

On April 24, Kosovo disclosed that the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers had forwarded its membership bid to the Parliamentary Assembly for further examination. This move garnered the support of 33 members (out of 46 member countries), with seven opposing and five abstaining.

Read also: Serbia outraged by Ukraine's stance on Kosovo's Council of Europe membership

Serbia might exit the Council of Europe should it admit Kosovo as a member, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on March 24 in response to these developments.

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