Press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

VIENNA, 17 March 2009 - The following is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE Participating States.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly pays pre-election visit to Moldova

CHISINAU, 17 March 2009 - An OSCE PA delegation visited Chisinau from 15-17 March 2009 to prepare for the Assembly's election observation mission to the 5 April parliamentary elections in Moldova.

The delegation was headed by Greek parliamentarian, Petros Efthymiou, chairman of the OSCE PA General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment. Mr. Efthymiou has been appointed by the OSCE Chair-in-Office as the Special Co-ordinator to lead the OSCE short-term observers and deliver the post-election statement on behalf of the OSCE at a press conference in Chisinau the day after the elections.

The OSCE PA will deploy an election observation mission led by Mr. Efthymiou and composed of at least 60 Members of Parliament from a range of participating States to observe the vote across the country.

The OSCE PA delegation stressed that the upcoming elections will be an important test for democracy in Moldova. Mr. Efthymiou noted the considerable pluralism in the political landscape of Moldova and reiterated the call made by the Assembly's President last month to ensure that these upcoming elections are conducted in a democratic manner in accordance with the OSCE commitments for free and fair elections.

"I also see some remaining challenges during the electoral campaign such as allegations of pressure or intimidation and the accuracy of the voter register. In addition, broadcast media needs to be objective and provide equal and fair coverage to all contestants in these elections," noted Mr. Efthymiou.

During the visit, the delegation met the Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, leaders of political parties participating in these elections, and representatives of civil society. It also met with the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission's Core Team and Long Term Observers in Chisinau.

The OSCE PA delegation also included Member of the Turkish Parliament, Canan Kalsin, and Member of the Polish Parliament Pawel Kowal. The delegation was accompanied by Deputy Secretary General, Tina Schøn; Programme Officer, Anna Chernova; and Secretary of the Greek Delegation to the OSCE PA, Chara Papazoudi.

The OSCE Mission to Moldova, lead by Ambassador Philip Remler, continues to operate under its own mandate.

For more information, please contact in Chisinau:
Anna Chernova, Programme Officer,
Mob. +45 60108383
E-mail: anna@oscepa.dk

In Copenhagen:
Klas Bergman, Director of Communications
OSCE PA
Tel. +45 33378040, Mob. +45 60108380
E-mail: klas@oscepa.dk www.oscepa.org