OSCE Chairperson Dačić pledges support for reforms as he visits Mission to Skopje

SKOPJE, 18 February 2015 - OSCE Chairperson in Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today pledged support in building democracy and promoting reforms as he visited the OSCE Mission to Skopje, accompanied by High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors.

Stressing OSCE commitments to the country and its people, Dacic emphasized the importance of improved inter-ethnic relations, the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, the strengthening of the rule of law and of reforms in various areas that the Mission is supporting. The Government’s Strategy on Integrated Education and its significance for inter-ethnic relations were also discussed during the visit.

Dačić praised the work of the Mission to Skopje, its valuable support to the government in furthering democratic reforms. “Serbia knows first-hand the value of an OSCE Mission and the support and advice which it offers in reform processes and in integrating national and ethnic minorities in public life.  The OSCE work in the country should be fully utilized”.

Countries of the region should continue to promote mutual co-operation and strengthen inter-ethnic relations in South East Europe, said Dačić. “Improving living conditions in the region is a goal we all share. Rebuilding trust and confidence to create a positive agenda for the future is the guiding theme of the Serbian Chairmanship. We must continue to strengthen mutual respect, trust and understanding. Respect for human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination remains high on our agenda,” he said.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Ralf Breth, said:  “The Mission fully supports efforts aiming at smooth implementation of needed reforms, paving country’s road towards Euro-Atlantic structures. The commitments deriving from the Ohrid Framework Agreement remain at the core of Mission’s mandate and activity.”

During the visit Dačić met  President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferri, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki  and Education and Science Minister Abdilaqim Ademi.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje is the third OSCE field operation Dačić visited. He plans to continue to visit other OSCE field operations in the Western Balkans.