Paris Meeting: Green Light for Kosovo's Membership in the Council of Europe

(Patria) - The Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe today adopted, at a meeting in Paris, a majority positive opinion on Kosovo's admission to the Council of Europe.

The report on Kosovo's fulfillment of conditions was drafted by the representative from Greece, Dora Bakoyannis.

31 representatives voted for this decision, four voted against, and one abstained. Thus, this committee gave the green light for Kosovo's admission.

This decision must be adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at its plenary session in April.

After that, the final decision for Kosovo's admission to the Council of Europe will be made by the foreign ministers of the member states, which should happen in May.

The Council of Ministers adopts such a decision by a two-thirds majority.

Former Croatian Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier participated in the committee meeting as the president of the European People's Party (EPP) parliamentary group.

- Kosovo today took a very important step towards membership in the Council of Europe. This also brings greater responsibility for the protection of human and minority rights. Citizens of Kosovo will have the opportunity to access the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

I remember how important joining the Council of Europe was for Croatia, and that is why I am particularly pleased that today, in the Political Committee, we supported Kosovo's membership with a large majority - said Stier.