In the Assembly of the Council of Europe, the survivor of the Kosovo war, Saranda Bogujevci, declared on Tuesday that Kosovo stands with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.
Addressing the Ukrainian deputies, the deputy speaker of the Assembly from the ranks of the VV, said that the people of Ukraine are in the mind, heart and prayers of Kosovars.
This is the first address of a Kosovar MP in this institution where he intends to join.
“Now, as this is my first time addressing the plenary session, I would like to say to my Ukrainian colleagues and also to the people of Ukraine that our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers are with you. We know very well what you are going through. I myself am a survivor of a massacre during the war in Kosovo. We will always be with you in this fight. We hope that soon this terrible war will end and justice will prevail. Glory to Ukraine", she declared.
According to Bogujevci, one must be brave and determined to make decisions that will have a positive impact on the future of the Western Balkans.
She added that Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans are part of Europe, and according to her, there can be no other future than being "members of the European Union family".
About Kosovo's speech at the Council of Europe, the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, wrote on Facebook.
"October 11, 2022, Kosovo won the right to speak in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. For the first time, the voice of the Republic of Kosovo was heard," wrote Haxhiu.
In May of this year, Kosovo applied for membership in the Council of Europe. Government officials have expressed optimism that Kosovo's initiative will receive support.
The application is examined by the Committee of Ministers, and after examining the situation in Kosovo, the final word is given by the Parliamentary Assembly, which consists of the national representatives of the member states. Acceptance is made with the votes of 2/3 of the majority.
Each member of the Council of Europe must accept the principles of the rule of law and the application of fundamental human rights and freedoms to all persons within the jurisdiction of that state.
The Council of Europe is an international organization for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe, headquartered in Strasbourg, France.
