Djurovic: Pristina's CoE membership bid not discussed on Wednesday

STRASBOURG - The so-called Kosovo's Council of Europe (CoE) membership application was not discussed at Wednesday's CoE Committee of Ministers meeting, Serbian Ambassador to the CoE Aleksandra Djurovic told Tanjug.

She said the meeting, concluded at around 3 pm, had addressed other topics.

"It was not a topic that was included in the agenda," he said.

When asked if there was a possibility of Pristina's membership request being included in the agenda of any of the upcoming meetings, Djurovic said this remained unknown due to the overall geopolitical situation.

"I do not believe it will (be included) at this time, but that is just my judgement," Djurovic said, adding that the process was no longer underway in Strasbourg but was a "package" that was being negotiated at higher levels.

Previously, Pristina's membership request was also not on the Committee's agenda for a February 1 meeting after the ambassador of Iceland, who chaired the meeting, did not propose its inclusion.

The so-called Kosovo officially applied for CoE membership on May 12.

Under CoE rules, consent by a two-thirds majority - or 31 out of 46 member states - is one of the criteria for membership in the organisation.

Thirty-six CoE member states recognise the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo.