OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Kurz and Secretary General Zannier strongly condemn attack on Parliament in Skopje

VIENNA, 27 April 2017 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier firmly condemn tonight’s attack on the Parliament building in Skopje. Violence can not substitute for political solutions. Such solutions must be found within the democratic processes in a responsible manner.

“The attacks on several members of the Assembly, the break-in into the building of the Parliament – the heart of the country's democracy - are shocking. This is an act of intimidation, an attack on the representation of the people which I unequivocally condemn,” said Kurz. “Calm and order must be restored instantly. I call on all sides to refrain from any further escalation of tension or violence.”

Secretary General Zannier said that violence has no place in the political process. “Violence must stop immediately. The law enforcement must ensure safety of the members of the Parliament, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The Chairperson-in-Office and the Secretary General urge the political actors to resume their dialogue in parliament and respect the democratic principles as well as the results of the December elections.