Strasbourg (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)
The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers decided at an extraordinary April 24 session to send on Kosovo's request for membership in this pan-European organization to the Parliamentary Assembly for consultations.
In the decision, published on the Council of Europe website, the Committee of Ministers cites the Feb. 27 Agreement on the road to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia and its implementation annex of March 18, reached by the two sides' leaders under EU mediation.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said the decision of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers signaled not just a good day for human rights and democracy and Kosovo, but an important moment for all of Europe.
The Kosovo president said in a statement that this was a step forward for Kosovo and its citizens, not only in terms of international integration, but also in terms of advancing human rights for all citizens, adding that the next steps were a chance for Europe to show its dedication to human rights protections in every country across the continent.
Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti said this completed the first stage toward full membership in the international organization.
Our country will be an added value to the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe will add value to democracy, human rights and the rule of law in our country, Kurti said in a Facebook post.
To get full access to all content of interest see our
Subscription offer
Or
Register for free
And read up to 5 articles each month.
Already have an account? Please Log in.