European leaders oppose Kosovo's bid for Council of Europe membership

Leaders from France, Germany, and Italy have jointly criticized Kosovo's application to join the Council of Europe, deeming it "inappropriate and unfeasible."

According to TASS, this stance was conveyed by Agence France-Presse, citing the Elysee Palace.

The administration of the French president stated that a letter outlining these concerns was dispatched to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti a day before the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe convened in Strasbourg. While Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis had earlier suggested discussion on the matter during the May 16 meeting, the CoE press service informed TASS on May 15 that it wasn't on the agenda.

In their communication, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underlined that Kosovo had not fulfilled its commitment to establish a community of Serb municipalities (CCM), a prerequisite for Council of Europe membership. The letter stated, "Your proposal is inappropriate and unviable given the current circumstances in these municipalities. Without decisive progress on this issue, there is a genuine risk that Kosovo's bid to join the Council of Europe will lack sufficient member state support," as quoted by AFP.