National minorities in focus: SG Montella addresses conference in Lund and receives visit of HCNM Zannier in Copenhagen

LUND, Sweden, 14 November 2019 – OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella has addressed this morning a high-level conference organized by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Lund Recommendations on the effective participation of national minorities in public life. 

In his remarks, SG Montella stressed the importance for any electoral system to facilitate representation of national minorities in the decision making bodies of the State. He also highlighted the key role of parliamentarians belonging to national minorities: "they constitute a permanent link between the minority and the central state, they are ambassadors of their voices and needs, and they can also serve as an indispensable early warning tool to detect possible tensions".

In this regard, SG Montella called for increased attention to persisting ethnic tensions in the OSCE region, especially in conflict affected areas.

The Secretary General took the opportunity to praise the work of the OSCE HCNM, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier and of his office, welcoming increased cooperation with the OSCE PA. This was also emphasized by an official visit of the High Commissioner to the PA international Secretariat held yesterday, 13 November, where he had an opportunity to exchange views with the staff and to explore avenues for joint work with parliamentarians. Ambassador Zannier acknowledged the strong role MPs play in empowering national minorities: "They can promote the development of inclusive policies which reflect the diversity of society and I look forward to increasing cooperation with the OSCE PA to this end".

For the full speech delivered by Secretary General Montella, please click here.