Strasbourg: Ambassador Đurović about Priština's application for membership in the Council of Europe

„The decision on the membership application itself was not on the agenda because we asked for it, but a discussion on this topic was held and the members had the opportunity to express their views on this issue,“ said Đurović.

Speaking about the notions that the majority of member states „showed understanding“ for Serbia's position, Đurović stated that it was supported by the fact that since 12 May when Priština submitted the application, until now, this October, the membership procedure has not yet started.

„We had an intensive diplomatic activity in order to inform the member countries of our positions and point out the detrimental effect of processing such an application. Although it was announced that it could be one of the items on the agenda, we strongly opposed it and as a result only a discussion was held on that topic, and we could see that opinions were divided in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the level of ambassadors on this issue,“ explained the Head of Serbia's permanent mission to the Council of Europe for Euronews Serbia.

She added that most of the members insisted on the preservation of the organisation's unity.

„They are aware that such an issue that does not meet the understanding of 12 member states of the Council of Europe which have not recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, may lead to divisions in the Committee of Ministers,“ said Aleksandra Đurović.

She added that Serbia would continue its diplomatic activity so that that point would not be included in the agenda of a future session and, „of course, that a decision on starting the procedure is by no means made“.

We point out that Priština has submitted an official application of admission to the Council of Europe on 12 May. However, according to the procedure, in order for the request to be taken into consideration, the support of more than two thirds of the members of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is required.

Upon submission of this application, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić stated that he was not aware whether Priština had a two-thirds majority to join the Council of Europe, but that such initiative „is not all that is currently happening“. He added that Priština has received the support of the Americans for entering the Partnership for Peace programme.

„It is a way to put pressure on the five European countries that have not recognised its independence, especially on these four that are members of NATO, not counting Cyprus, and to put a lot of pressure on Serbia to do it. Because Serbia cannot be the only one that does not keep up with the world, the future... All I can tell you is that all this is worth little to them unless they get the green light from Belgrade,“ said Vučić.

Source: Euronews Serbia