The probable delay in Kosovo’s approval to join the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has decided to delay making a decision on Kosovo’s membership, causing frustration in Pristina. The issue revolves around the constitutional problem related to the Community of Serb Municipalities, which has become a sticking point in Kosovo’s bid to join the Council of Europe.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has rejected the precondition set by France, Germany, and Italy, which has led to the postponement of the final decision on Kosovo’s application. Kurti maintains that Kosovo has met all the criteria for membership and sees the demand to create a new administrative body for Serb-majority areas as an unacceptable hurdle.

The creation of the Community of Serb Municipalities is a key condition for Kosovo’s progress on its EU membership path, as outlined in the 2013 Brussels Agreement. However, the Kosovo Constitutional Court has previously ruled that granting executive power to the community would be unconstitutional.

Kurti’s government is concerned that giving too much authority to the Community of Serb Municipalities could lead to the creation of a de facto independent Serb territory within Kosovo, similar to Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The EU and the US are closely monitoring the situation in the Western Balkans, particularly the tensions between Serbia and Kosovo. Both sides have been urged to fulfill their obligations under EU-brokered agreements to prevent any escalation of conflict in the region.

As the Council of Europe delays its decision on Kosovo’s membership, the future of the region remains uncertain, with the risk of renewed conflict looming large.