OSCE Chairman-in-Office congratulated authorities in Sarajevo for successful elections
(Oslobodjenje)OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Antonio Martins da Cruz (centre), during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, 12 October 2002. (Oslobodjenje)
SARAJEVO, 12 October 2002 - The successful handover of elections to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE's new role in education in the country were among the issues the OSCE Chairman-in Office (CiO) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Antonio Martins da Cruz, discussed with the authorities in Sarajevo.
During a day's visit to the capital on 12 October, Minister da Cruz congratulated BiH citizens for the "democratic, free and fair elections on 5 October" and stressed that the OSCE Mission will continue its activities in the country, focussing on education and human rights issues amongst others. "I am very pleased with the pragmatic approach of the OSCE. Its capability to adapt to new conditions is commendable. The handover of the election process and the new co-ordination role in education are an excellent example of this," he said.
The CiO met the Bosnian member of the BiH presidency, Beriz Belkic and the BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zlatko Lagumdzjia, as well as the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Mladen Ivanic and the BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Kresimir Zubak.
Minister Lagumdzija welcomed the CiO's words, saying that five years had been lost in the education reform process until now. He said that the BiH authorities, together with international organizations, are preparing a joint plan on education reform, which will be introduced next month.
In the meeting with President Belkic, Minister da Cruz discussed the economic and political situation in BiH following the elections. "An environment has been created in BiH which does not allow us to step back from the reforms we have begun", President Belkic said.
The CiO had informal discussions with the High Representative, Lord Ashdown, and the new Commander of SFOR, General William Ward, before visiting the Portuguese Military Contingent in Visoko and a newly reconstructed primary school in Kraljeva Sutjeska, which he inaugurated.
During a day's visit to the capital on 12 October, Minister da Cruz congratulated BiH citizens for the "democratic, free and fair elections on 5 October" and stressed that the OSCE Mission will continue its activities in the country, focussing on education and human rights issues amongst others. "I am very pleased with the pragmatic approach of the OSCE. Its capability to adapt to new conditions is commendable. The handover of the election process and the new co-ordination role in education are an excellent example of this," he said.
The CiO met the Bosnian member of the BiH presidency, Beriz Belkic and the BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zlatko Lagumdzjia, as well as the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Mladen Ivanic and the BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Kresimir Zubak.
Minister Lagumdzija welcomed the CiO's words, saying that five years had been lost in the education reform process until now. He said that the BiH authorities, together with international organizations, are preparing a joint plan on education reform, which will be introduced next month.
In the meeting with President Belkic, Minister da Cruz discussed the economic and political situation in BiH following the elections. "An environment has been created in BiH which does not allow us to step back from the reforms we have begun", President Belkic said.
The CiO had informal discussions with the High Representative, Lord Ashdown, and the new Commander of SFOR, General William Ward, before visiting the Portuguese Military Contingent in Visoko and a newly reconstructed primary school in Kraljeva Sutjeska, which he inaugurated.