BELGRADE, Serbia

Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe is “not only a priority of Kosovo, but also a necessity” for the protection of human rights of all citizens, without any distinction, President Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday. 

“Next year, the Council of Europe will mark the 75th anniversary of its establishment. Thus, it would be very symbolic for the Council of Europe itself, as the main human rights organization on our continent, to open the door to a democratic country that aspires to join the family of values,” Osmani said at a meeting with Dora Bakoyannis, a Council of Europe official.

“Kosovo is committed to meeting all the Council of Europe membership standards. The Constitution of Kosovo already includes the key conventions of the Council of Europe, making them applicable in Kosovo. In this spirit, Kosovo is strongly committed to European values, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” she added.

Bakoyannis is currently on a three-day visit to Kosovo.

She will meet with leaders, political party representatives, non-governmental organizations, media and religious officials.

After the visit, Bakoyannis will prepare an opinion on Kosovo's application for membership in the council.

The opinion will be sent to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the final decision on Kosovo's membership will be made.

Kosovo officially applied for membership in the Council of Europe on May 12, 2022.