Newsroom
OSCE Mission to Skopje begins political party dialogue project
SKOPJE 10 May 2006
SKOPJE, 10 May 2006 - The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry today co-organized a roundtable discussion in Kumanovo on developing political dialogue, prior to the 5 July parliamentary elections in the country.
Participants focused on the role and responsibilities of political parties in the forthcoming election process and in further developing democracy.
"These few weeks before the July elections are extremely important for the country's future," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Mission, at the meeting. "The world is watching to see if political leaders are mature enough to successfully lead the country through this test and, through a free and fair electoral process, confirm their commitment to democracy and reforms."
"This is a critical time for you to communicate with all your colleagues and party members in order to closer co-operate and ensure that all citizens of your country are able to freely choose their government," he added.
Political parties, national and international experts, as well as civil society leaders are discussing how to strengthen the political parties' capacity to respond to new challenges and better co-operate to guarantee democratic elections.
Ambassador Carl Schiotz Wibye of Norway expressed strong support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the country.
Both Ambassadors also emphasized that the whole country, including political parties and every citizen, is responsible in the end for the success or failure of the elections and in meeting OSCE standards and commitments.
The next such meeting will take place in Stip on 11 May, to be followed by meetings in Strumica, Ohrid, Tetovo and in Skopje.
Participants focused on the role and responsibilities of political parties in the forthcoming election process and in further developing democracy.
"These few weeks before the July elections are extremely important for the country's future," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Mission, at the meeting. "The world is watching to see if political leaders are mature enough to successfully lead the country through this test and, through a free and fair electoral process, confirm their commitment to democracy and reforms."
"This is a critical time for you to communicate with all your colleagues and party members in order to closer co-operate and ensure that all citizens of your country are able to freely choose their government," he added.
Political parties, national and international experts, as well as civil society leaders are discussing how to strengthen the political parties' capacity to respond to new challenges and better co-operate to guarantee democratic elections.
Ambassador Carl Schiotz Wibye of Norway expressed strong support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the country.
Both Ambassadors also emphasized that the whole country, including political parties and every citizen, is responsible in the end for the success or failure of the elections and in meeting OSCE standards and commitments.
The next such meeting will take place in Stip on 11 May, to be followed by meetings in Strumica, Ohrid, Tetovo and in Skopje.