OSCE Kosovo Mission happy with Council of Europe report on elections
(Lubomir Kotek/OSCE)Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Pascal Fieschi of France, speaking at a press conference. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 13 December 2002 - Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, expressed today his satisfaction with the Council of Europe (CoE) report on the OSCE-run municipal elections last November.
"We are both happy and proud with the findings in the Council of Europe final report", he said. Ambassador Fieschi stressed that the OSCE Mission on all levels were especially proud of the wording that "The electoral process was administered in a highly professional manner."
"At the end of 2002 I once again would like to thank all those who participated in organizing a free and fair election meeting European standards. And I think that all those working in the Municipal Elections Commissions will be happy when they see the full report and the positive wording on their crucial role."
"We have received the report and the recommendations from the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission with great interest and deep respect. We will now study it carefully in all details and share this information with our Kosovo partners in future discussions on democracy-building and election standards in Kosovo", Ambassador Fieschi said.
"At the same time I want to draw the attention of the political leaders to the full report. It is a road map for Kosovo's leaders to take responsibility for organizing the next elections. And on this road map you will see some important warning signs", the Head of Mission said.
The CoE report underscores "that the Central Election Commission should rise above ethnic considerations. If they do not do so, the international dominance could not disappear."
The CoE also welcomed the creation of the Election Working Group and its important role in transferring the electoral process to Kosovo's administration.
"We are both happy and proud with the findings in the Council of Europe final report", he said. Ambassador Fieschi stressed that the OSCE Mission on all levels were especially proud of the wording that "The electoral process was administered in a highly professional manner."
"At the end of 2002 I once again would like to thank all those who participated in organizing a free and fair election meeting European standards. And I think that all those working in the Municipal Elections Commissions will be happy when they see the full report and the positive wording on their crucial role."
"We have received the report and the recommendations from the Council of Europe Election Observation Mission with great interest and deep respect. We will now study it carefully in all details and share this information with our Kosovo partners in future discussions on democracy-building and election standards in Kosovo", Ambassador Fieschi said.
"At the same time I want to draw the attention of the political leaders to the full report. It is a road map for Kosovo's leaders to take responsibility for organizing the next elections. And on this road map you will see some important warning signs", the Head of Mission said.
The CoE report underscores "that the Central Election Commission should rise above ethnic considerations. If they do not do so, the international dominance could not disappear."
The CoE also welcomed the creation of the Election Working Group and its important role in transferring the electoral process to Kosovo's administration.