The Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is set to discuss Kosovo’s application for membership in the Council of Europe today, March 27.

Dora Bakoyannis, the rapporteur for Kosovo in the Council of Europe, completed the drafting of a report on Kosovo’s membership on March 20, 2024. This report will be presented today before Members of the European Parliament.

According to the report, it is stated that “the Parliamentary Assembly expects the Government of Kosovo to take fundamental and tangible steps with the aim of establishing the Association as soon as possible.”

Furthermore, among the conditions for membership in the CoE is the call for “the Government of Kosovo to take fundamental and tangible steps towards establishing the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities as soon as possible.”

In section 17.1 of this report, as per Bakoyannis’ recommendation, Kosovo should be accepted into the CoE under the name “Kosovo” without the prefix “Republic.”

Since 1999, the Council of Europe has maintained an office in Pristina, engaging in cooperation activities in the fields of human rights, rule of law, and democracy. Since then, the Office has consistently facilitated the provision of significant support programs aimed at realizing Council of Europe standards in practice for all individuals, thereby assisting key institutions in their democratic reform endeavors.

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