Kosovo’s admission to UNESCO was addressed today in Paris, on the sidelines of the 38th Session of the General Conference.

While introducing the draft-resolution on Kosovo's membership at the General Conference, Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati underlined that "a vote in favor of Kosovo joining UNESCO is not a vote seeking to politicize the organization. Kosovo's request for membership in UNESCO is, first of all, about promoting universal values through education, science and culture. It is a vote that would grant Kosovo and its people full access to the valuable work of UNESCO. It is a vote that would support UNESCO’s mission.”

Although Kosovo ensured the majority of support during the voting, it failed to secure a quota of 2/3 of the votes needed.

Albania is convinced that the process of international recognitions of Kosovo will continue in the future, as well as its memberships in regional and international organizations, including UNESCO itself.

Albania supported Kosovo throughout this process, in full coordination with our strategic partners, convinced that the new state of Kosovo is an irreversible reality. Today's voting at the General Conference of UNESCO, with an overwhelming majority in favor of Kosovo, proved it.