OSCE Chairman says he supports closing OSCE Mission to Croatia by the end of the year

DUBROVNIK, 8 July 2007 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, said yesterday he favours closing the OSCE Mission to Croatia by the end of 2007.

In talks with Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office reviewed progress made towards completing the Mission's purpose. The Organization would continue to work with the authorities on remaining mandate issues, he said.

"I call on the authorities to work closely with the OSCE Mission in Croatia to fulfil the remaining obligations and responsibilities as we move closer toward the OSCE Ministerial Council in November," he said.

Minister Moratinos, speaking at the 2007 Croatia Summit on "Europe's New South," called on presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from South Eastern Europe and other OSCE regions present at the meeting to support his initiative.

He also emphasized the key role of the OSCE in assisting South Eastern Europe.

"The OSCE has all the right tools, ranging from supporting legislative, electoral and judicial reforms to police development and training, as well as strengthening local government," he said.