18/03/2010 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 18.03.2010 - “The Council of Europe should strengthen its involvement in Kosovo ,” said Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC), rapporteur for the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), addressing the committee today in Paris. “Our Organisation should play a pro-active role in offering its expertise in its areas of excellence: democracy, the rule of law and human rights, with absolute priority being given to the rule of law,” he said.
According to Mr von Sydow, the poor record of respect for the rule of law is the main cause of concern in Kosovo, which affects the quality of life, governance and the prospects for economic development. In particular, he said, corruption is “an endemic phenomenon and a huge challenge to eradicate”.
PACE’s rapporteur was presenting to the committee an information note which summarises the key findings of his last visit and focuses on a number of proposals, including that the Assembly establish a dialogue with representatives of the political forces elected to the Kosovo Assembly.