OSCE Mission to Skopje supports transparent dialogue among political parties

SKOPJE, 1 June 2006 - Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, has urged the country as a whole to ensure that the 5 July parliamentary elections fulfil international standards.

"The time to organize elections according to international standards is now, in order not to endanger your country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. On 5 July, voters have the right to decide, without interferences, for which party they want to vote," he said today, a day after the last of six regional political dialogue meetings were held.

The meetings, which took place in the country's six election districts, were organized by the OSCE Mission in co-operation with the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. They attracted 350 regional decision makers from all political parties as well as national and international experts and representatives of civil society.

The discussions focused on the responsibilities of political parties in the election process and their role in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, especially with a view to the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the country.

All political parties confirmed their understanding of the importance of these elections and vowed to make them democratic and transparent.

U.S. Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic, who took part in the meetings, urged party leaders to abstain from negative campaigning and underlined their responsibility for the performance of their activists during the campaign and on Election Day.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has established an Election Observation Mission in the country.