Serbia upset as Kosovo moves closer to joining Council of Europe

The parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe has taken a historic step towards Kosovo’s membership by passing a report recommending approval. With 131 members voting in favor, 29 against, and 11 abstaining, the recommendation now awaits a final decision by the Committee of Ministers next May.

Despite the positive development, Serbian officials have expressed their opposition to Kosovo’s potential accession. The rapporteur of the recommendation, Dora Bakoyannis, emphasized that the report does not take a stand on statehood, leaving recognition up to individual states.

Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, has raised concerns about the implications of Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. Belgrade argues that Kosovo may not uphold the rights of Serbian minorities or establish autonomous municipalities, as outlined in the EU-sponsored Brussels Agreement.

The nationalist rhetoric between Belgrade and Pristina has escalated, with tensions rising over the issue of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo. Serbia’s foreign minister Ivica Dačić called the recommendation a “day of shame,” while President Vucić warned of potential legal action by Kosovo against Serbia for crimes committed during the 1999 war.

The European Union has urged both Kosovo and Serbia to reach a mutual understanding to progress towards European integration. Failure to do so could jeopardize their European future, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

As the region navigates complex political dynamics, the path to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe remains uncertain, with implications for regional stability and European integration.