OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes calm and orderly elections in Kosovo

SOFIA, 27 October 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, welcomed the calm and orderly conduct of the Assembly Election in Kosovo on 23 October and commended the people of the province for the mature and peaceful exercise of their democratic responsibilities.

"The involvement of the international community in the organization of the polls in a secure and peaceful environment is a vivid proof of its long lasting commitment to ensuring stability and prosperity in Kosovo," Minister Passy said.

The Bulgarian Chairmanship regards the elections as a further step in the process of consolidating stability and democracy in Kosovo. These elections were operated with considerable success by the Central Election Commission Secretariat, which proved to be effective and competent.

"I regret the extremely low participation of the Kosovo Serbs in the elections. While applauding those few who cast ballots for the new Kosovo Assembly, we would like to encourage the Serb community to take part in the work of the Kosovo institutions. This is the widely accepted democratic way to defend and promote their national interests," the Chairman-in-Office said.

The Chairmanship calls on all political leaders to accept the outcome of the elections and to ensure the speedy formation of new Provisional Institutions of Self-Government.

"I firmly believe that the PISG should continue to co-operate closely with the OSCE and the other international organizations in terms of meeting the Standards for Kosovo for the sake of the stability and prosperity of the province," Minister Passy concluded.