OSCE Chair-in-Office Alfano and Secretary General Greminger shocked at murder of Oliver Ivanovic, call for swift investigation

ROME / VIENNA, 16 January 2018 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Italy’s Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger expressed today their outrage at the murder of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanović and offered their heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

“We are shocked by the murder of Oliver Ivanović. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms and we ask that a swift and thorough investigation shall be conducted immediately in order to identify those responsible for such a heinous crime,” said Alfano and Greminger.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the Secretary General urged all actors to show calm and assist the law enforcement agencies in conducting the investigations.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Alfano stressed that this murder should not derail Kosovo and its people from their efforts to build a democratic, peaceful and safe society. “Dialogue is the only acceptable way of achieving political objectives, and I urge all sides not to give in to provocations and hatred but to show resilience and continue on the path of reconciliation,” said Alfano. 

Secretary General Greminger added: “Having worked with Oliver personally, I was impressed by his commitment to political dialogue and co-operation with all sides. He was an interlocutor valued by all.”