PACE recommends that Kosovo joins Council of Europe

Following a potential accession of Kosovo to the European human rights body, PACE is set to monitor Kosovo in the fulfilment of a list of commitments and obligations, involving better protection of the rights of non-majority communities, PACE said in a press release on Tuesday.

The PACE passed the recommendation by 131 out of a total of 171 votes. The recommendation must now be adopted by the organisation’s executive body, Committee of Ministers, which comprises foreign ministers of the Council’s member states.

Last month, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic told local media that Serbia might leave the organisation if Kosovo is admitted as a member.

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. As many as 12 of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe do not recognize Kosovo as a state.

Acknowledging unprecedented circumstances, PACE called for “diplomacy, dialogue and compromise” on part of the on the Committee of Ministers. It also considered the establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities a key commitment for Kosovo post-accession.