OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes endorsement of Kosovo Serb participation in November election

BUCHAREST, 5 November 2001 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, welcomed the endorsement by the Governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia, as well as by the Yugoslav President, Vojislav Kostunica, of the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the election to be held in Kosovo on 17 November.

The election in Kosovo - organized by the OSCE - is the most important event in the province this year for setting up a multi-ethnic society and the provisional institutions for self-government, in accordance with Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council.

"It is a very wise decision the authorities in Belgrade have adopted and as Chairman-in-Office I cannot but welcome it warmly, alongside the international community which has closely followed this issue. At present, all the conditions are fulfilled to have all-inclusive elections in Kosovo. The participation of Serbs in this election, as well as of other minority groups of the population is vital for achieving a multi-ethnic Kosovo and for the functioning of the future provisional authorities of self-government. At the same time this will allow them to participate further in the decision-making process and to have an important say concerning both their fate and the future of the province", said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

"The UN and OSCE Missions in Kosovo as well as KFOR have worked intensively and closely, co-operating with Yugoslav authorities as well, in order to address the issues raised by Serbs and thus preparing the way for their participation in this election. Now it is imperative to ensure the participation of all communities on election day and to provide the necessary conditions for having correct, fair and democratic elections, according to European standards", said Mr. Geoana. He also expressed the hope that the participation of Serbs in election would pave the way for the solution of the problems in the province and that the people of Kosovo could determine for themselves the future shape of an inclusive and egalitarian society.