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Frank Schwabe: Kosovo has fulfilled the conditions for KiE

2024-03-26 18:31:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Frank Schwabe: Kosovo has fulfilled the conditions for KiE

Frank Schwabe, head of the German delegation to the Council of Europe

On the eve of the presentation of the fact-gathering report (27.03.24) by Dora Bakojanis, rapporteur of the Council of Europe (CoE) on Kosovo, in the Political Affairs Committee, the German Social Democrat MP Frank Schwabe is optimistic. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, he talks about the historic chance of Kosovo's membership in this institution.

DW: Mr. Schwabe, you are a proactive supporter of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. Why?

Frank Schwabe: I am one of those who want Kosovo to become a member now, because we do not know what will happen with the elections in the USA, how the political situation will change. So, Kosovo is significantly more advanced in terms of democracy and human rights and the rule of law than some other states that are now members of the Council of Europe. In this aspect, I would say that Kosovo essentially fulfills these conditions. But with the decision we will make, there will be a whole list, several pages, of obligations that Kosovo must fulfill and receive.

DW: Kosovo has already made a compromise with the Monastery of Deçan. Are other conditions related to dialogue with Serbia being added now?

Frank Schwabe: We are the Council of Europe and not the European Union, which means that we do not simulate negotiations. For example, Serbia is not even at the table when we talk about the relations of the Council of Europe with Kosovo. There are things that Kosovo should do anyway, regardless of relations with Serbia. The case of Deçan Monastery was one of them: It was a Serbian Orthodox monastery, but it was an internal issue of Kosovo. It was important to resolve this. There was a court decision in Kosovo, which was not implemented. It was resolved on the occasion of this possible membership. If this brings a greater dynamism to the process of negotiations between the EU, the USA, Kosovo and Serbia, then I would very much welcome this. I hope that everyone should work constructively on this, because there is a historic chance for a solution.

DW: Are you optimistic that it can succeed?

Frank Schwabe: I am committed to having a two-thirds majority, as in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and I believe we will succeed. This is my direct duty because I am the head of the German delegation but also of the largest parliamentary group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I hope that this two-thirds majority will be reached at the level of the Committee of Foreign Ministers of 46 countries, which will meet in May. But I find that there are countries that want to combine the whole situation with the negotiations that are taking place at the EU level and with the USA and Serbia. I am one of those who think that we should only look at the situation in Kosovo. And the conditions for membership are now met. I am very sure that we will achieve a two-thirds majority at the parliamentary level and I hope that we will also get this at the government level.

DW: Serbia is preventing Kosovo from joining the Council of Europe and is even threatening to withdraw from this organization. How do you comment on this?

Frank Schwabe: The only thing I can say is that it is in Serbia's interest for Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe. Why? Because if a state is a member of the Council of Europe, the protection of minority rights is automatically included. And if Mr. Vucic sees threats in Kosovo, of course we should talk about it, what rights do the Serbian minorities have in Kosovo? Then he should have a lot of interest for them to become members of the Council of Europe, because in a monitoring process the issue of national minorities will immediately play a big role: For example, in the issue of elections. We will observe the elections, including at the local level. And I believe that in the end this is also in the interest of Serbia. Therefore, we should all be in favor of Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe so that we can have an influence there./ DW