OSCE Secretary General welcomes new 3 March deadline for candidates’ submissions for elections in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

VIENNA, 27 February 2013 - OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today welcomed the adoption by Parliament of the new deadline of 3 March for submitting candidate lists as “a new window of opportunity”, which he trusts everybody will benefit from in the interest of long-term political stability and development of the country.

His comments follow a meeting with Presdient Gjorge Ivanov yesterday where discussions confirmed that the internal political situation in the country is assuming a “worrisome dimension”.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and OSCE participating States have responded favourably to domestic and international calls for a robust election observation mission to observe the upcoming local elections on 24 March, Zannier added.

“This decision demonstrates, once again, that the OSCE and the international community at large have a genuine interest and commitment to the country. I hope that political stakeholders will reciprocate this commitment by ensuring a competitive and pluralistic environment on election day,” he said.