US Professor Edward Joseph has said that Kosovo should take advantage of the opportunity to negotiate with the European Union over concerns related to the Special Court, with the aim of this issue being tied to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe as well.

In a conversation with publicist Veton Surroi in the podcastin SHOW, Joseph has argued that there is an agreement of interests between Kosovo, The EU and American administration to reach a consensus that would pave the way for Kosovo to the Council of Europe.

There is compliance with the administration that Kosovo can implement and also with the European Union in a very important way to reach a consensus — an agreement that may eventually include Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe, Joseph has said.

According to him, membership in this organisation would enable Kosovo a path to the European Court for Human Rights, where decisions related to cases of the Special Court could potentially be considered in accordance with the jurisdiction and relevant conditions.

This would be an extraordinary opportunity for Kosovo in connection with the Special, because there would be a way to the European Court of Human Rights and then could receive proper judicial consideration. This serves the interests of Kosovo, he has declared.

Joseph has stressed that this approach does not mean that Kosovo should ignore its international obligations, but seek a solution through dialogue with international partners.

I am not saying that Kosovo should ignore its obligations, he has said, adding that the European Union can privately raise its concerns regarding the judicial process.

During his conversation with Surroi, Joseph has also expressed the opinion that the sentences pronounced by the Special Court are disproportionate, though he has stressed that he is not giving a final assessment of the act, as thousands of pages of evidence must be considered.

He has said there are reasons to discuss the length of the process, the court’s spending and budget, as well as the compliance of sentences with those pronounced by The Hague Tribunal.

But no court is above criticism, Joseph has said.

The Special Court sentenced four former KLA leaders, Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi from 81 years in prison together.