News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Elections largely in accordance with international standards but significant irregularities in some areas, observers say in Skopje
Publishing date: 14 March 2005
SKOPJE, 14 March 2005- The municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were in line with most OSCE and Council of Europe standards for elections, but failed to meet key commitments guaranteeing universal and equal suffrage and the...
Second round of Kyrgyz elections demonstrates need for further improvement, OSCE/ODIHR observers report
Publishing date: 14 March 2005
BISHKEK, 14 March 2005- The 13 March second round of the parliamentary elections in the Kyrgyz Republic showed some technical improvements over the first round, but significant shortcomings remain, confirming the need to address the issues identified...
OSCE Chairman hopes for new impetus in efforts to find Transdniestria settlement
Publishing date: 14 March 2005
CHISINAU, 14 March 2005- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel said on Monday he hoped recent elections in Moldova and Ukraine would help to generate fresh impetus in efforts to find a settlement in Transdniestria. "The OSCE remains committed to...
OSCE Chairman shocked by sudden death of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine
Publishing date: 14 March 2005
CHISINAU, 14 March 2005- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel expressed shock and sadness on Monday over the sudden death of Ambassador David R. Nicholas, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. "Ambassador Nicholas had won widespread respect...
OSCE Mission calls on Serbian government not to delay privatisation of municipal media
Publishing date: 14 March 2005
BELGRADE, 14 March 2005- The OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro today urged the Serbian Government to fully implement the privatization process of local media outlets, as foreseen by a law adopted in 2002. "Free, independent and professional media...
OSCE Croatia mission fears proposed election changes could penalize minority voters
Publishing date: 11 March 2005
ZAGREB, 11 March 2005- The OSCE Mission to Croatia is concerned that proposed electoral legislation changes, forwarded to Parliament under a "fast-track" procedure, could seriously restrict the exercise of voting rights of many citizens. The Mission...
Belarus media situation worsened, says OSCE media freedom representative
Publishing date: 11 March 2005
VIENNA, 11 March 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, said today that the overall media situation in Belarus had deteriorated over the past few years. The number of independent media outlets had been declining and...
OSCE Mission Head presents three-year review of Croatia
Publishing date: 10 March 2005
VIENNA, 10 March 2005- Ambassador Peter Semneby today presented to the OSCE Permanent Council an overview of his last three years as the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia as well as priority issues for the future. "Croatia has made remarkable and...
OSCE Chairman urges US Helsinki Commission to help Organization weather current attacks
Publishing date: 9 March 2005
WASHINGTON D.C., 9 March 2005- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, urged members of the US Congress and the Helsinki Commission to ensure that America's commitment to the OSCE was made clear at the highest level...
OSCE's Kosovo Mission Head issues statement on Prime Minister's resignation
Publishing date: 8 March 2005
PRISTINA, 8 March 2005- The OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, issued the following statement following the resignation of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who has decided to step down in light of his indictment by the International...