Kosova should be allowed to advance with membership in the Council of Europe, said the representative of Great Britain, John Howell, at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of this international organization.

In a debate held at the initiative of Great Britain at the headquarters of the Council of Europe, Howell requested that the issue of Kosova’s membership be separated from the progress in Kosova’s dialogue with Serbia, mediated by the European Union.

“Kosova should not be held hostage of the progress in the dialogue led by the EU. We must show that the Council of Europe is separate from the European Union and that it has its own values and principles on the basis of which decisions are made,” said Howell in his speech.

During the session, Albania, North Macedonia and Croatia supported Kosova’s membership in the Council of Europe, while Serbia called on the members to reject Kosova’s request.

Kosova has submitted the application for membership in the Council of Europe in May 2022.

Two thirds of the member states of that organization recognize the independence of Kosova. If it is taken into account that the decisions are made with the majority of votes of the member states, the possibility of Kosova joining the Council of Europe is real.

During the debate, the members of the Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern about the tensions in the relations between Serbia and Kosova and the role of Russia and its president Vladimir Putin in this situation.

“If that’s the case, we need to be aware of it and take concrete steps,” said Britain’s representative, John Howell.

/a.p./