Three years after the adoption of Resolution 2094 (2016) on “The situation in Kosovo and the role of the Council of Europe”, the Parliamentary Assembly notes that the intergovernmental sector of the Council of Europe has intensified its co-operation with Kosovo, including in the implementation of certain European Union-related reforms, in line with the Organisation’s neutral status policy and thanks to European Union/Council of Europe regional joint programmes.
It is therefore time also for the Assembly to follow more closely the situation in Kosovo in order to assess developments which have occurred since its previous report and make appropriate recommendations.
Special attention should be given to the peaceful coexistence and reconciliation of all communities in Kosovo, the protection of the rights of communities, the presence of functioning democratic institutions at all levels and their capability to operate efficiently and fight corruption and organised crime, with a view to making progress towards the realisation of Council of Europe standards on human rights, the rule of law and democracy.
The new report should also offer an opportunity to review the current challenges as regards the European Union-facilitated dialogue for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as the relations between the Parliamentary Assembly and the Kosovo Assembly, while respecting the Council of Europe status neutral approach.