Council of Europe debates Kosova

STRASBOURG, Jan. 24 – Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Wednesday adopted a resolution on Kosova sparking a controversy caused because of its misinterpretation. A paragraph stating that only independence for Kosova can ensure stability in the region was erased from the text of the resolution, which was passed with 99 votes in favor, 36 against and 14 in abstention. The final text of the resolution does not contain the word ‘independence’. The part stating that all interested parties in the region are obliged not to demand the alteration of borders and to accept current Kosova borders as permanent was also erased. The resolution maintains that the only viable and undisputable solution is to reach a mutual agreement from both sides. However, the Council of Europe asserts that the decision to impose a solution should be reached if negotiations come to a dead-end. The resolution calls on Kosova Serbs to take part in the social and political life in Kosova.
There were different interpretations on why the paragraph was taken off, an act which sparked anger in Kosova. But the truth seems different. Kastriot Islami, member of the Albanian delegation to the Council of Europe said that the paragraph was omitted with the explanation that such an institution should first wait for the project idea that the U.N. special envoy Martti Ahtisaari will soon present to the Contact Group member countries, the United Nations and Belgrade and Pristina.
Albanian Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli was also present at the Council of Europe. She met all its top leaders to discuss on Albania’s local elections and Kosova’s final status. Topalli said that an independent Kosova was “the only way to preserve peace and stability in the region.”