UNESCO did not approve at today’s General Conference voting Kosovo’s membership in the organization. Kosovo’s application received 92 out of the required 95 votes while 50 countries opposed the motion. Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci wrote on his Facebook account that despite the vote result, the vast majority of countries did vote in favour of Kosovo’s membership. “Kosovo’s path is unstoppable and we will apply and gain membership in other organisations as well, including UNESCO,” said Thaci. Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi said the voting showed that the majority of the world countries do wish to have Kosovo member of UNESCO. “Membership battle has been lost but we will make a powerful comeback,” he said. At the same time, the opposition Alliance for the Future of Kosovo expressed regret at the outcome of the UNESCO vote. It said Kosovo fully deserved to become member in the organization. “Unfortunately, the concessions Kosovo made to neighbouring countries, including the two recent agreements with Serbia and Montenegro, were not enough to prevent Serbia from waging a fierce campaign against Kosovo’s membership,” said AAK in a statement. Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri said Kosovo’s non-acceptance to UNESCO is bad news while Serbia’s diplomatic offensive against Kosovo’s membership “shows very clearly what everyone knows, but what some refuse to understand, that Serbia is an enemy that chooses no means to fight us.” Ymeri added that Kosovo cannot therefore continue to reach agreements with Serbia until it significantly changes first. Vetevendosje MP, Ilir Deda, said that following the no-vote in UNESCO, Kosovo should immediately halt dialogue with Serbia and implementation of agreement on the establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities.
