Some time ago it was announced that Kosovo will apply for membership in the Council of Europe in May, while it is expected that the application will be made today.
A week ago, the German journalist Michael Martens, in an article in the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung entitled "Russia out, Kosovo in?", reported that Kosovo could soon be the newest member of the Council of Europe.
Martens in his writing further states that the Government of Kosovo is planning to apply for membership in the Council of Europe after the elections in France, while this could then lead to the admission of Kosovo in 2023.
A few days ago, German MP Knut Abraham spoke about Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe.
He said that after the encouraging response of the German Government to support Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, the next step would be for Kosovo to submit its application, preferably now, so that it can be discussed at the next session of the Committee. of Ministers in Turin on May 20.
Related to the application for membership in KiE, he also spoke Jeton Zulfaj, political adviser to the Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who said that Kosovo will apply for membership in the Council of Europe.
According to him, Kosovo has good chances and according to him, 2/3 of the votes are secured.
Even for the German journalist Michael Martens, Kosovo has good chances to become a member.
"The Council of Europe may soon have a new member. According to FAZ information from Prishtina, the Government of Kosovo is planning to apply for membership after the elections in France, possibly in May. This could lead to the admission of Kosovo in 2023. The prospects are assessed as good in the capital of Kosovo, because the exclusion of Russia means that the most important ally of Serbia has left the Council of Europe", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote. .
The president of the country, Vjosa Osmani, some time ago announced the application for membership in the Council of Europe.
During a media conference held in Pristina, during the visit of the Latvian president, Egils Levits, the latter expressed full support for Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe and other international organizations.
"...At least it is imperative that Kosovo joins the Partnership for Peace. I think now is the right time, but it depends on NATO... It is very important to strengthen cooperation... Latvia supports this step", he said, Telegrafi reports.
"We would welcome Kosovo's application to the Council of Europe, so we can share our experiences to find the path to membership. I will welcome Kosovo as a member of the Council of Europe", he said.
Otherwise, the Council of Europe is the oldest human rights institution in Europe that unites democracies from across the continent to protect human rights.
It is estimated that the main benefit of a possible membership of Kosovo in the Council of Europe will be for the citizens as they will have access to the Court for Human Rights.
Besides this, there is also the diplomatic and political aspect of the affirmation of Kosovo's citizenship.
Citizens of Kosovo could turn to this institution if they felt that their rights had been violated by the state of Kosovo or any member state of the Council.
But this can only be achieved when all legal options within the country have been exhausted.
The procedures require that a member state of the Council of Europe proposes the membership of Kosovo to the Committee of Ministers.
After that, the Assembly of the Council of Europe requests an opinion on whether Kosovo meets the legal criteria to become a full member.
For membership, 2/3 of the total votes that Kosovo has are required, based on the states that have recognized our country.
Meanwhile, on March 16, the Russian Federation was expelled from the Council of Europe. The procedure to end Russia's membership first began on February 25 – the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces invaded Ukraine. /Telegraph/
