Tuesday 22.01.2013 | 17:10
Source: Tanjug
Vice-President of the opposition DSS party and MP Milos Aligrudić was elected on Tuesday to chair the PACE External Relations Subcommittee.
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The subcommittee is part of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headquartered in Strasbourg.
Aligrudić was previously vice-chairman of this subcommittee for three terms, the party said.
This is the only body of this organization that deals with the relation between the Council of Europe and other international organizations, the DSS noted.
The PACE opened its winter session on Monday, re-electing Jean-Claude Mignon as its president, and appointing Serbia's Aleksandra Đuković as a vice-president.
The PACE adopted a resolution on Kosovo on Tuesday, based on the report on the situation in Kosovo and the role of the Council of Europe which was compiled by Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy Bjorn von Sydow.
Serbia's standing delegation is taking part in the session that will last until January 25.
PACE adopts resolution on Kosovo
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted on Tuesday a resolution on Kosovo stating that progress in improving the rule of law was slow, especially in terms of battling organized crime and corruption.
PACE is particularly worried over the situation with the Serb community in northern Kosovo and its safety, as incidents and tension are still present there.
A political agreement on how to govern this area is required for a sustainable solution and fulfilment of Belgrade's and Priština's European ambitions, the document states.
The resolution was adopted with 115 votes in favour and 15 against. It is based on a report on the situation in Kosovo and Council of Europe's role there by rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy Bjorn von Sydow.
Progress in improving the rule of law is slow across Kosovo, especially in terms of battling organized crime and corruption, the resolution says.
PACE called on Belgrade and Priština to keep an open mind, invest themselves in the talks facilitated by the EU without setting demands in advance and to put more effort in to avoid turning the situation in northern Kosovo into a frozen conflict.
PACE called on Priština to, among other things, create an environment for a sustainable return and integration of the displaced persons, which involves a number of things, including anti-trafficking efforts and achievement of international standards when it comes to post-conflict return of property.
Kosovo's judiciary still suffers from political involvement, inefficiency and lack of transparency, the resolution says.
The document calls on the Kosovo authorities, EULEX and UNMIK to continue strengthening the rule of law and the legal and institutional framework needed to combat corruption.
