PRISHTINA, May 16 /ATA/ – Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and the government clashed Thursday over a letter sent to the Council of Europe. President Osmani expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the government acted without consulting her.
President’s advisor Bekim Kupina told Radio Free Europe that the government didn’t consult the head of state and didn’t gain her support for a letter sent to the Council of Europe, announcing the government’s plan to prepare a draft statute on the Association of the Serb-dominated Municipalities.
Kupina said that “the President doesn’t support this letter.”
“President Osmani’s support relies on prior consultation, coordination, and agreement with the President’s institution, which was missing in this instance,” Kupina said.
Donika Gërvalla, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said earlier today that the government had sent a letter to the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, outlining Prishtina’s commitment to establishing the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities. Gërvalla said that she expects Council of Europe to accept Kosovo as the newest member of the human rights organization this week.
Kosovo government has refused to accept establishment of an Association of Serb-dominated Municipalities in exchange for the country’s Council of Europe membership.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommended that Kosovo be invited to become a member of this international human rights body in end of last month.
The successful vote in the Parliamentary Assembly has paved the way for the final decision by the Ministerial Council on May 16 and 17.
However, Kosovo’s membership is not expected to be included on agenda of the Council of Ministers’ meeting on May 17.
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