OSCE to establish Mission to FRY

An OSCE Mission will provide assistance and expertise to the Yugoslav authorities in building democratic institutions and protecting human rights.

Permanent Council decision

The OSCE Permanent Council, the Organization's main decision-making body, decided on 11 January 2001 to establish a new OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to provide assistance and expertise in the fields of democratization, protection of human rights and minorities, and media development to Yugoslav authorities.

The new Mission, which initially will comprise up to 30 international mission members, is being established following the invitation extended to OSCE by the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In November 2000, the FRY was admitted to the Organization as the 55th participating State.

Assistance and expertise

The Mission's role will be to advise and assist FRY authorities, as well as interested individuals, groups and organizations, in the areas specified in its mandate. The Mission will advise on implementation of legislation and monitor the proper functioning and development of democratic institutions, processes and mechanisms.

In particular, the Mission will assist in the restructuring and training of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The Mission will also provide advice and assistance in the field of the media.

In carrying out its mandate, the Mission will work in close co-operation and employ the expertise of other international organizations and OSCE Institutions.

Sixth presence in South-Eastern Europe

The OSCE already has field activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Kosovo, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. With the establishment of this new mission, a previous Mission of Long Duration in Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina has been formally closed.