01/06/2010 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 01.06.2010 - Discussing a report by Björn von Sydow (Sweden, SOC) on the situation in Kosovo[1] and the role of the Council of Europe, the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), meeting in Paris today, expressed its concern about the poor respect for the rule of law in Kosovo affecting the everyday lives of all persons, irrespective of the community they belong to, and their trust in the political system.
In a draft recommendation to the Committee of Ministers, due to be adopted by PACE at the June session 2010, the parliamentarians argue that the Council of Europe should broaden the range of activities in Kosovo and demonstrate pragmatism, flexibility and imagination in finding formulas which would enable the broadest possible range of activities and mechanisms of the "47" to apply in Kosovo, while respecting its current policy of status-neutrality.
PACE, for its part, should initiate dialogue with representatives of the political forces elected to the Kosovo Assembly on issues of common interest, while taking into account the legitimate interests and concerns of Serbia and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
[1]. All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood to be in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.