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In a special session scheduled for April 24, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will be discussing Kosovo’s bid for membership in this pan-European organization.
According to the Council’s website, the second agenda topic for the 2:30 p.m. meeting is the application for full membership Pristina submitted on May 12 of last year, which will be considered among other current political issues.
To even enter into consideration, the petition must first win the support of at least two-thirds of the Committee of Ministers. Should that happen, the bid will be forwarded to the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, which will be holding its regular spring session in Strasbourg from April 24 to April 28.
Any potential Council of Europe member must meet requirements in the areas of democracy, rule of law and human rights. The process of aligning with CoE standards is monitored by members of its Parliamentary Assembly.
Once the alignment and assessment process is complete, those applications that are endorsed by a minimum two-thirds of the Assembly are returned to the Committee of Ministers, pending final approval.
The Council of Europe already has an office in Pristina, through which it has been supporting Kosovo institutions in strengthening the rule of law and furthering the protection of cultural heritage. So far, Kosovo has managed to become a fully-fledged member of some CoE bodies, such as the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the Venice Commission.
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