OSCE field activities continue efforts in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

VIENNA, 14 December 2000 - The OSCE Permanent Council today decided to extend the mandates of three OSCE field activities in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. The mandates of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje have been extended for six months, to 30 June 2001. The mandate of the OSCE Mission to Croatia has been extended for one year, to 31 December 2001.

The position of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine was established in June 1999 to initiate a new form of co-operation between Ukraine and the OSCE. Projects to promote OSCE principles and commitments are carried out with relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies of Ukraine. A specific focus project concerns a review of legislation related to human rights in co-operation with the Ministry of Justice.

The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was established in September 1992 to help prevent the spillover of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia by monitoring the border between Serbia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Mission is now also engaged in mediation efforts aimed at improving inter-ethnic relations in the country. It assists in the development of a civil society, contributes in the fields of the economy and environment, and, when necessary, co-ordinates election monitoring activities.

The OSCE Mission to Croatia, established in April 1996, provides assistance and expertise to Croatian authorities and non-governmental bodies in the field of the protection of human rights and rights of national minorities. The Mission now provides increased advice to the Croatian Government on legislative efforts for two-way return of refugees and displaced persons and continues to monitor the development of democratic institutions, processes and mechanisms.

For further information, please contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: [email protected] .