One of the key votes on Kosovo’s accession to the organization took place in the Council of Europe. On April 16, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe supported the entry of the country, which is partially recognized in the world, into the Council of Europe.
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131 deputies voted in favor, 29 voted against, and 11 more abstained. The audience greeted the decision with applause.
In order for Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe, the final decision must be made by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with a two-thirds vote. The decision will probably be made in mid-May.
Voice of Europeans ha been heard!
Thank you to each and every @PACE_News Family Member who voted in favor of Kosovo’s @CoE membership today!
There is a high probability that you are, and all this is constantly helping people from Kosovo.
One more step! pic.twitter.com/WEmmpqbZ16
– Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) April 16, 2024
After this, partially recognized Kosovo came closer to breaking the blockade of its membership in international organizations.
This vote does not complete the procedure. For Kosovo to become a member of the organization, the final decision must be made by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with a two-thirds vote. However, in the preliminary voting in the CSCE, the number of votes in favor was required.
If successful, Kosovo will receive three seats in PACE. It’s a good news. Because Kosovo is Europe,” said People’s Deputy Alexey Goncharenko.
On March 30, the Parliamentary structures of the Council of Europe and NATO decided on the “green light” for Kosovo’s membership in NATO and the Council of Europe. This can be assessed as the final recognition of Kosovo as an independent state by the majority of European countries.
After this, a painful blow was dealt to Serbian politicians who defended the slogan “Kosovo is Serbia.” The parliamentarians of the two assemblies have launched a process of geopolitical changes that will force Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to finally choose the only correct decision – Serbia continues European integration, recognizing Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe and NATO, and stops sitting on two chairs.
Kosovo joins all sanctions against Russia even though Ukraine does not officially recognize it as a state. In March 2024, Pristina canceled visas for Ukrainians, although few refugees arrived there (local authorities do not provide exact numbers).
There is also a shelter program for Ukrainian journalists in Kosovo: 18 media workers received money for relocation, food and rent. Now 13 journalists remain there.
The Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognized state in the Balkans, whose independence has been recognized by 104 UN member states. Serbia and some other countries do not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.