Although the official Pristina argues that “Serbia has no chance to hinder the entry of Kosovo to UNESCO,” there is no official confirmation that the request for membership of the self-proclaimed state of Kosovo arrived in the UNESCO Secretariat in Paris.
In the Parisian diplomatic circles was denied that Pristina, regardless of the strong diplomatic activity, had contacts with the Secretariat of UNESCO, since the Managing Director of the organization Irina Bokova strictly adhere to the UNSC Resolution 1244. After Palestine became the UNESCO member in 2011, Pristina unsuccessfully tried to contact Bokova. However, after the signing of the first part of the Brussels Agreement, the part of the EU stepped up pressure on Bokova to include Kosovo in the activities of UNESCO.
The main lobbyists for Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO are Austria and Turkey, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, while the United States, for now, are reserved. Supposedly even France is not on the “front lines” of support.
As was speculated in recent months, Pristina will take the opportunity that exists in the Constitution of UNESCO to become member through a decision of the General Conference, at the recommendation of the Executive Council. For recommendation is required a simple majority of the Executive Council, and for the decision on admission is required two-thirds majority of members present at the General Conference.
Although the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence is recognized by 33 out of 58 members of the current composition of the Executive Council, some sources claim that some members are not delighted with Kosovo’s entry into UNESCO. In early July, in Bonn, at the 39th session of the Commission for World Heritage, Serbia, with the help of Germany, won its status in accordance with Resolution 1244, when it comes to the monuments in Kosovo. The same circles warn that in case Pristina receives recommendation, a large number of the abstention votes would be bad for Belgrade, because only the votes “for” and “against” will be counted. That would allow Kosovo to reach the two-thirds majority with a relatively small number of votes.
According to the estimates of analysts, the fate of Kosovo’s membership will depend largely on the global political situation in the world and the balance of powers at the time the session of the 38th general conference of UNESCO will be held, which is from 3 to 18 November.
