PACE steps back from Kosovo independence

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Euorpe has voted in support of an amendment to a resolution on the status of Kosovo. It means all statements in support of the region's independence will be removed from the document.

PACE members have agreed dialogue between all sides should continue until a mutually acceptable decision is found.

Russian representative Konstantin Kosachev says this is a key change.

“The crisis in Kosovo began because Kosovo separatists were supported from outside. A number of states, including some EU countries, sent a clear signal to those fighting for sovereignty in Kosovo, that sooner or later the independence of the region will be recognised. Thus they made talks almost pointless. It contradicts the values that we advocate here in the Council of Europe,” Kosachev stressed.