Orlic: It would be absurd if, after everything, Kosovo were rewarded with membership in the Council of Europe

President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Vladimir Orlic, met today with Axel Schafer, the rapporteur of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). During the meeting, Orlic informed Schcfer that the situation of the Serbs in Kosovo was extremely difficult, primarily due to the actions of Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

According to a statement from the Serbian Parliament, Orlic informed Schafer about the daily terror, violence, and threats to the security of the Serbs in Kosovo. He also highlighted Kosovo's unacceptable attitude towards previously signed agreements and its blatant attempts to escalate tensions and disrupt any dialogue.

"The situation in Kosovo and Metohija is extremely difficult, and this is exclusively the fault of Albin Kurti. It would be absurd if, after everything he has done, Kosovo were to be rewarded with membership in the Council of Europe. This is not just the position of Serbia; many others in Europe share the same view," Orlic emphasized.

He reiterated Serbia's stance, which has been emphasized multiple times by President Aleksandar Vucic, that dialogue is the only correct path to reach a sustainable solution.

"Unlike Kurti, we want peace," Orlic emphasized.

During the meeting, Orlic expressed a commitment to continuing cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

He pointed out Serbia's overall progress in numerous areas, particularly in terms of democratic standards, the rule of law, human rights, and minority rights.

Orlic informed his interlocutor about the successful completion of the judicial reform initiated by a constitutional change last year, the preparation of a comprehensive set of laws in direct collaboration with the Venice Commission, and their adoption.

"This process has been transparent and inclusive, ensuring the independence and autonomy of judges and prosecutors at the highest level since the introduction of multiparty systems in Serbia. Relevant EU assessments in Chapters 23 and 24, which deal with fundamental rights and the fight against corruption, confirm that Serbia had made progress," Orlic said.

He also stressed that the same applied to the issue of journalist safety, the work of the parliament, as well as the implementation of ODIHR recommendations and other proposals from political parties through inter-party dialogue.

"All of these areas have seen progress, enabling more freedom and democracy than ever before," Orlic concluded.

Schafer, along with representatives from the Secretariat of the PACE, is on a monitoring mission and will meet with a delegation from the National Assembly of Serbia in the PACE, parliamentary groups, and members of the Committee on Constitutional Issues and Legislation, as stated in the press release.