Germany welcomes Kosovo’s application to join the Council of Europe, wishes “all the best”

English

Gazeta Express

13/05/2022 13:04

German Ambassador to Pristina, Jorn Rohde, says that he looks forward to seeing Kosovo as part of the Council of Europe, a family, which as Ambassador Rohde said, Kosovo belongs to, Gazeta Express reports.

Tweeting the announcement of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the initiation of procedures for membership into the Council of Europe, the German Ambassador has supported the initiative.

“Looking forward to seeing Kosovo as part of the Council of Europe Council of Europe family who work together to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law.  Kosovo belongs in the Council of Europe. All the best for the membership bid!” Ambassador Rohde wrote on Twitter.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz has visited Thursday the headquarters of the CeO in Strasbourg when she handed over the application to join this organisation. The Prime Minister Kurti wrote that Kosovo’s membership into the CoE would not only be a strong signal to all democratic forces in the region but also a major step for Europe as a whole.

On the other hand, Serbia has protested Kosovo’s recent move. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that with this action Kosovo is violating the Washington Agreement but based on the deal signed in 2020 Kosovo pledged to a one-year moratorium on efforts to join international organizations whereas Serbia agreed to a one-year moratorium on its campaign against recognition of Kosovo as a state. Gazeta Express asked the US State Department on Serbian President Claims, and received the following answer:

“Kosovo and Serbia are sovereign countries with the right to determine their own foreign policy priorities. The moratorium was designed to expand the space for discussion and compromise between Kosovo and Serbia, which we believe is in both countries’ strategic interests.  We maintain that the EU-facilitated Dialogue on normalization of their relations is essential for both countries to unlock their European futures and urge their urgent, flexible, and serious engagement in that process,” a State Department Spokesperson said. /GazetaExpress/