Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the presidential elections in Croatia

VIENNA, 8 February 2000 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, welcomes the orderly conduct of the second round of the presidential elections in Croatia. Both the parliamentary and the presidential elections mark an important turning point for Croatia on its path towards Europe and the Atlantic Community.

The Chairperson-in-Office also welcomes the announcement that the President-elect of Croatia intends to establish a fruitful and constructive co-operation with the international community. She is encouraged by his stated commitment to contribute to the process of democratization, stabilization and economic recovery in the country.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office looks forward to support the new president and the government of Croatia to introduce and implement a whole range of internal democratic reforms, especially in the field of the return of refugees and displaced persons, rule of law, media and the building of trust among all Croatian citizens regardless of ethnicity. The OSCE will be a helpful partner for the Croatian people on their way to further integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

It is to be hoped that, in the future, the new president and the new parliament will closely co-operate and co-ordinate with a view of re-assessing their respective responsibilities. The OSCE is willing to support Croatia in this field of reform, says the Chairperson-in-Office.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office strongly believes that the recent developments in Croatia represent not only a historic window of opportunity for the democratic evolution of this country but also a political signal throughout the whole region.