The Social Democratic MP, Frank Schwabe, head of the German delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and at the same time the head of the largest parliamentary group consisting of 148 socialist, democratic and green MPs in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, emphasized that the majority vote overwhelming recommendation for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe was an important step.
He emphasized that the Committee of Ministers of the member countries of the Council of Europe should vote for the final membership.
Schwabe said that two thirds have been secured, but now it remains to be seen whether it will come to a vote in the KiE Ministerial Committee on May 16.
The German MEP considers that Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe is a value in itself and has nothing to do with the issue of dialogue.
Below is the full interview:
Radio Kosova: Mr. Schwabe, on Tuesday, Kosovo took another step on the way to the Council of Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly, with an overwhelming majority, voted on the recommendation for Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. Mr. Schwabe, what does this mean for Kosovo?
Frank Schwabe: As we have said, this means that we have taken an important step, but as is known for the final membership, the Committee of Ministers of the member countries of the Council of Europe must vote. We, as deputies, have only given our opinion with an overwhelming majority that voted in favor. Two thirds were needed, but in the end it turned out that we had three quarters of the votes of the deputies present. This fact should have an impact on the Committee of Ministers and if Kosovo becomes a member of the Council of Europe, then the country will be subject to monitoring procedures. This means that all issues related to the functioning of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, will be strictly supervised and these issues will be assessed, as is the case with all member countries. So, Kosovo still wants to become a member of the Council of Europe, and with membership comes the responsibilities it takes on itself and, of course, criticism for the mentioned issues, but this is implied.
Radio Kosova: For the admission of Kosovo, the votes of two thirds of the Ministerial Committee of the Council of Europe are necessary. Hoping that even the last stage of the membership process will be completed successfully? Rather, are you an optimist Mr. Schwabe?
Frank Schwabe: Two-thirds, I think, have already been secured. There will be two-thirds of the votes in the Committee of Ministers. Two thirds have been secured before, but it must be seen if it will come to the vote, if the membership will be put on the agenda for the vote, as there are several countries that are involved in the talks that are taking place between Kosovo and Serbia and they want to use the Council of Europe and membership in the Council of Europe as a tool in negotiations and for this, I am critical, as I consider that membership in the Council of Europe is a value in itself and has nothing to do with the issue of dialogue. The talks, as is known, are done with the mediation of the European Union and with the support of the Kunti countries, and this is not a matter of the Council of Europe at all. Therefore, for the reasons I mentioned, it is not certain whether it will be put to a vote. However, we have taken another important step forward.
Radio Kosova: We had a new element during the voting. Deputies of countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo, such as the Greek and Romanian deputies, gave their vote to support Kosovo’s membership in this institution. How did you see this element?
Frank Schwabe: I think this was an opportunity for some states to rethink their role. The lack of recognition from these countries is often related to internal conflicts and the fear they have of tendencies to lose any part of their country. I have the impression that now this fear has fallen into the background, giving more importance to the fact that almost two million people are becoming part of the shield of the European conventions that have the importance of protecting human rights. In addition, there is a European court for the protection of human rights, which brings final verdicts, to which anyone can turn in cases where they feel they have been wronged, even by the state itself. Now that Kosovo is ready to become part of the Council of Europe, I have the impression that many non-recognizing countries look favorably on this will, and I think that this has influenced the voting from among the deputies of non-recognizing countries.
Radio Kosova: Until May 16, when the final decision is expected, there is almost a month left. What should the Government of Kosovo do in the meantime? Are there any additional tasks he needs to complete?
Frank Schwabe: There is a self-commitment and self-obligation that he undertook through a letter signed by the prime minister and others. The case of the Monastery of Deçan has already been resolved and it is proof that Kosovo not only knows how to make promises, but also keeps them. An important step has been taken, because the problem has not been easy to solve. Now the issue of credibility is raised if Kosovo will also implement the other obligations it has undertaken within the process of membership in the Council of Europe. What can be done now in these remaining four weeks is to get support, which would be of great help. And this issue now belongs only to Kosovo. It is not about what the dialogue with Serbia will be, or whether it would be successful or unsuccessful, but it is about things that the member states of the Council of Europe are looking for, such as whether the protection and respect of the rights of minorities can be documented with practical steps. The more and the more substantially the commitments made are implemented, the better. Otherwise, during this period of time, there will be talks with the capitals of the member countries of the Council of Europe and with the member states of KUINT, where he will participate and let’s see what we do, but I am quite optimistic.
Radio Kosova: Serbia was against, although many MPs said that with Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe, the preservation and respect of the rights of minorities will be strengthened, with special emphasis on the Serbian minority. In fact, what benefits will the Serbian minority and others have after the final decision on Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe?
Frank Schwabe: The issue of protecting the rights of minorities is of central importance in the Council of Europe as conflicts have always been caused by these issues. In general, the monitoring of the rights of minorities always strengthens them, because through the reports that are compiled, the existing problems in certain areas are pointed out in order to get solutions afterwards, as we saw in the case of the Monastery of Deçan. I think that when mutual understanding is shown with the help of the Council of Europe in cases such as in the case of the Monastery of Deçan, then Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe is very useful for the Serbs as well.
Radio Kosova: Many observers who followed the debate in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe say that the decision, among other things, was a slap to the Vucic-Putin axis. How do you comment on this?
Frank Schwabe: That was not the intention. The goal is to strengthen the Council of Europe and show that those who believe in the values of this institution are supported. In the Balkans, for example, the issue of same-sex marriages and similar topics is currently problematic. At this point, we consider that Kosovo has made visible and significant progress in contrast to other states in the region, and this is not an easy matter for a government to achieve. This is appreciated and appreciated by us, but Putin probably doesn’t like it. On the other hand, the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly should not be seen from that angle, because it is not a matter of geopolitics, but a matter of the Council of Europe, because we want the further development of democracy, the preservation and respect of human rights and that they to be protected by the rule of law. Therefore, all those countries that love these principles, as we love them, are cordially invited and welcome to join us in working together. Kosovo wants this, has pledged for this, has made commitments for this, has taken the first steps in the case of Deçan Monastery and we believe that together with the Council of Europe we will also take the other steps, regardless and without any influence from its relations with Serbia.
