Chairman-in-Office visits Belgrade, OSCE office to open soon

BELGRADE, 15 January 2001 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Dan Geoana, met with the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), Vojislav Kostunica, and the Yugoslav political leadership in Belgrade today.

The Chairman-in-Office reiterated the full support of the OSCE for the consolidation of democratic change in FRY, offering assistance through the soon-to-be-established OSCE Mission to FRY, as well as through other OSCE Institutions and Offices. Mr. Geoana emphasized that the OSCE Mission to FRY will be operational as soon as possible. A reconnaissance team from the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna has already arrived in Belgrade, and is tasked with taking the practical steps towards opening the new office.

Today's discussions focused mainly on issues relating to the recently adopted mandate of the OSCE Mission to FRY, including the strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law, as well as reform of the judicial system. The situation in the Presevo Valley in South-Eastern Serbia was also discussed.

"I am looking forward to a fruitful and mutually rewarding partnership between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the OSCE," Mr. Geoana said, adding that he highly appreciated the commitment of the Yugoslav government to solve all open issues through negotiations.