On this day in 2016, Kosova was invited to have a delegation take part in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with 3 seats at the assembly. The Council of Europe is the leading Human Rights organization of the continent with all member states signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It promotes human rights through instrumentation and monitoring mechanisms designed to uphold conventions and agreements with the ECHR at the core of its mission. The Parliamentary Assembly is one of two bodies which provides the democratic forum through which member state parliamentarians can discuss and produce actionable policy recommendations. It is a driving force for extending European cooperation throughout the region.

Whilst Kosova’s membership to this body is without voting rights, Kosova’s delegation still takes part in the work of this Parliamentary Assembly and its various committees. This was a significant step forward for Kosova as a state realizing its full European ambitions in joining up to a key European institution. Despite the shortcomings in not being able to vote and lacking the same qualities of membership as other states, this membership did affirm Kosova’s progress in the field of democracy and rule of law. Kosova undoubtedly is better off for becoming a part of this organization as it realizes the tenets of its legitimate statehood and shows a willingness to cooperate and perform its duties as a European state.