**Kosovo’s Council of Europe Bid: Will Ministers Discuss Membership Request?**
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is set to meet on May 13 and 14 in Luxembourg, but Kosovo’s request to join the organization will not be on the official agenda. However, according to reports from N1, there is still a possibility that this topic could be brought up before the ministers at the last minute under the “other issues” section.
The decision on whether to discuss Kosovo’s membership bid depends on the lobbying efforts that took place prior to the meeting. The Committee of Ministers typically doesn’t include topics in their agenda unless there is a clear consensus among ministers to discuss them. In order for an issue to be added, preparatory meetings must show that a sufficient number of ministers are in favor of discussing it.
**A Long and Winding Road**
Kosovo initially applied to join the Council of Europe back in May 2022. The organization’s decision-making body, the Parliamentary Assembly, then referred the request to the Committee of Ministers for further consideration. In April last year, the Parliamentary Assembly gave its green light to Kosovo’s membership bid, urging the Committee of Ministers to make a decision.
The Committee of Ministers is the executive arm of the Council of Europe, consisting of foreign ministers from member states. When they meet, decisions are made by a two-thirds majority vote among the present ministers. Alternatively, ambassadors can also make a decision, but this would require unanimous consensus among all members.
**A Delicate Balance**
The possibility of Kosovo’s membership request being discussed at the last minute highlights the complexities of international diplomacy. The Committee of Ministers must balance competing interests and opinions from member states to reach a decision. As N1 notes, the lobbying efforts that preceded the meeting will likely play a crucial role in determining whether Kosovo’s bid is put on the table.
As we wait with bated breath for the outcome, one thing is certain: Kosovo’s membership request has been ongoing for over two years now. If discussed and approved by the Committee of Ministers, this could mark an important step forward for the young nation’s international relations.
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