High Commissioner Thors in Skopje: stability requires urgent resumption of democratic and political processes

SKOPJE, 15 May 2015 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Skopje on 14 May together with Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Special Representative on the Western Balkans of the OSCE Chairperson in Office, and Ambassador Dejan Šahović, Head of the Chairmanship Task Force. She continued her meetings in Skopje and Tetovo on 15 May in order to conduct an independent assessment of the situation in line with her mandate.

Thors already warned against the possible misuse of the political crisis to trigger inter-ethnic tensions during her February visit. She also emphasized that the failure to fully guarantee good governance and rule of law would leave the society vulnerable to political instrumentalization.

The recent tragic events, yet to be clarified, which occurred in Kumanovo have raised the specter of a return to the violence of the past. The High Commissioner commends the local population, of all ethnicities, for the remarkable unity it has shown, and its commitment to peaceful solutions. She calls on all political parties to refrain from any action that could jeopardize this solidarity.

Citizens have made the call for justice and for a society free of violence. The High Commissioner calls on all political leaders to fulfill their demands. Thors added that the current political crisis in the country must be resolved in a way that ensures that trust in the functioning of democratic institutions is restored, adding that “hasty solutions are not an option, either for justice or for long term stability.” She called on the international community to lend its support to a political process which avoids reopening old inter-ethnic grievances in the country, and safeguards the stability of the region.

During her visit, Thors met with the leaders of the coalition government, as well as with representatives of the opposition and civil society.