The Council of Europe celebrates its 75th anniversary today, and Bundestag Deputy Knut Abraham has taken the opportunity to remind us that last month the Parliamentary Assembly of this important organization concluded with a large majority vote that Kosovo has fulfilled all the standards to become its member.
German Deputy Abraham wrote that the Committee of Ministers has two choices and that if the standards and values are respected, then Kosovo should be admitted to the Council of Europe this month.
“The Committee of Ministers has two choices: 1) To act in line with our values and standards by accepting Kosovo this May. 2) Or to ignore the detailed assessment of distinguished jurists, three rapporteurs, three committees, and PACE, by not making any decision,” wrote the German deputy in “X”.
The latter, he says, would send a damaging signal to the deputies and citizens. “Nevertheless, this would send a damaging signal to the deputies and citizens in the region: that states can disregard standards as they wish.”
“The credibility of the institution, the protection of minority rights in Kosovo (Ahtisaari Plan), and the stability of the region depend on this decision. If we respect the standards and values, then Kosovo’s admission in May is the only way forward,” wrote Abraham.
