Newsroom
Kosovo joins world's democracies says OSCE Head of Mission
PRISTINA 28 October 2000
PRISTINA, 28 October 2000 - The OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Daan Everts, has congratulated the people of Kosovo for passing the test of democracy with flying colours.
The Ambassador was speaking at a packed press conference in Pristina as polling in today's municipal elections drew to a close.
"We have witnessed an historic event in Kosovo today, he said, and, although polling is not yet completely finished, I can safely say that Kosovo has joined the world's democracies."
Turnout in the OSCE-organized elections was high throughout the day. Some twenty polling centres out of a total of 380 were still processing voters after the official close of polls at 19:00 hours.
Ambassador Everts praised voters for their patience during the day saying that the Kosovo population had conducted themselves in an exemplary manner.
Only minor security incidents were reported during the day and no major complaints were filed with the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission.
The Ambassador described the elections as one of the most challenging tasks ever undertaken by the OSCE. He also paid tribute to the 15,000 Kosovar and international OSCE staff who participated in the process.
For further information on the Kosovo municipal elections, contact OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Press and Public Information Section, tel.: +381-38-500-162; fax: +381-38-500-188; e-mail: press@omik.org; Mr. Roland Bless, Spokesperson, (ext. 260), mobile: +377-44-158-847 (044-124-065 within Kosovo) ; or +389-70-250-576; Ms. Laura O'Mahony, Press Officer, (ext. 118), mobile: +389-70-250-434; +377-44-158-843 (044-158-843 within Kosovo); Mr. Sven Lindholm, Press Officer, (ext. 218), mobile: +389-70-250-435 or +377-44-158-845
The Ambassador was speaking at a packed press conference in Pristina as polling in today's municipal elections drew to a close.
"We have witnessed an historic event in Kosovo today, he said, and, although polling is not yet completely finished, I can safely say that Kosovo has joined the world's democracies."
Turnout in the OSCE-organized elections was high throughout the day. Some twenty polling centres out of a total of 380 were still processing voters after the official close of polls at 19:00 hours.
Ambassador Everts praised voters for their patience during the day saying that the Kosovo population had conducted themselves in an exemplary manner.
Only minor security incidents were reported during the day and no major complaints were filed with the Election Complaints and Appeals sub-Commission.
The Ambassador described the elections as one of the most challenging tasks ever undertaken by the OSCE. He also paid tribute to the 15,000 Kosovar and international OSCE staff who participated in the process.
For further information on the Kosovo municipal elections, contact OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Press and Public Information Section, tel.: +381-38-500-162; fax: +381-38-500-188; e-mail: press@omik.org; Mr. Roland Bless, Spokesperson, (ext. 260), mobile: +377-44-158-847 (044-124-065 within Kosovo) ; or +389-70-250-576; Ms. Laura O'Mahony, Press Officer, (ext. 118), mobile: +389-70-250-434; +377-44-158-843 (044-158-843 within Kosovo); Mr. Sven Lindholm, Press Officer, (ext. 218), mobile: +389-70-250-435 or +377-44-158-845