OSCE Ministerial Troika meets in Bucharest

BUCHAREST, 21 June 2001 (OSCE) - The OSCE Ministerial Troika, represented by the Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, the Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Albert Rohan, and the Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, met yesterday in Bucharest.

The Ministers focused on current issues of concern to the OSCE, among them recent developments in different areas, focusing on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo), the Caucasus, Belarus, the Republic of Moldova and Central Asia.

Also participating in the meeting were the Secretary General of the OSCE, Jan Kubis; the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Gérard Stoudmann, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, as well as the representative of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Pentti Väänänen.

The Ministers welcomed the recent visits of the Chairman-in-Office to Central Asia, Chechen Republic (Russian Federation), the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo.

The evolution of the situation in South-eastern Europe was discussed by participants in depth. They expressed their concern over continuing alarming situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, emphasizing the need for more co-ordination between OSCE, EU and NATO, in order to ensure a political settlement to the conflict. They reiterated their support for the territorial integrity of the country, as well as the readiness to participate in the implementation of a series of measures, including confidence building measures, multi-ethnic police training, continued engagement of the High Commissioner on National Minorities.

The participants welcomed developments in Southern Serbia, which will have a positive impact on the climate in the whole region.

The situation in Kosovo was considered as being still very fragile. Under such circumstances, very careful preparation of autumn elections is essential.

Acknowledging the good work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, in co-operation with the other pillars of the United Nations Mission, the Ministers noted that there is still much to be done in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to lay the grounds for a genuine multiethnic society.

They also stressed the necessity of actively involving the host country, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in the preparatory process. At the same time, they encouraged the OSCE Mission in Kosovo to pay appropriate attention to election-related issues and preparations.

The participants also expressed the hope that present parliamentary and governmental majority in Bosnia and Herzegovina will speed up the process of democratic transition. They stressed the need to reflect on the process of regrouping the international community action in this country.

In view of this year's parliamentary elections in Albania, the Ministers called upon all parties of the Albanian political spectrum to join their efforts in holding this important event in accordance with all OSCE standards.

The Ministers welcomed the return of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya, which was considered as a major success of the Organization. The Participants expressed their conviction that the resumption of Assistance Group's activities will contribute not only towards alleviating the urgent humanitarian problems but also towards building confidence, thus facilitating the political dialogue required for any political settlement. Co-operation between all relevant international organizations was considered essential and should continue on a regular basis.

On Moldova, the Ministers expressed their regret that the issue of withdrawal of the Russian troops and equipment has not registered significant progress. They expressed their concern with regard to the continuous deterioration of the economic and social situation in the country, as well as on the lack of progress in political negotiations on the political settlement of the situation in the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova.

The participants reiterated their concern with the situation in Belarus. They expressed their full support for the activity of the Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus and its Head. They urged the government to encourage the development of a strong civil society and fulfil the necessary conditions for free and fair presidential elections as called for by the Parliamentary Troika (OSCE, Council of Europe, European Parliament).

On Central Asia, the participants expressed their concern over the potentially dangerous security situation in the region. The Chairman-in-Office emphasised the key messages promoted during his trip in Central Asia, recognising that OSCE had paid insufficient attention to developing co-operation with Central Asia in the security and economic and environmental fields.

The Chairman-in-Office outlined the main activities on his agenda in the forthcoming period.

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