Federal Republic of Yugoslavia joins OSCE

VIENNA, 10 November 2000 - The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) has become the 55^th participating State of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), following a decision by the OSCE Permanent Council in a special session today.

In a formal ceremony at the Hofburg Conference Centre in Vienna, the Yugoslav Foreign Minister, Goran Svilanovic, took a seat which had been empty for eight years since the suspension of Yugoslavia. Prior to this, he participated in the official raising of the flag of the FRY in the OSCE Permanent Council conference hall. The flag of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was taken down, both inside and in front of the Hofburg.

Ambassador Albert Rohan, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for South-eastern Europe, warmly welcomed Yugoslavia as OSCE participating State. "The democratic changes in your country, which took place hardly six weeks ago, finally opened the possibility of a new chapter between the OSCE and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the past decade which brought so much suffering to the whole region, the OSCE was always on the side of the democratic forces in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We welcome you now in our midst and we will continue to support the process of democratic transformation", he said.

Foreign Minister Svilanovic expressed the full readiness of his country to accept and carry out all OSCE principles and standards. "We believe that, after ten years of conflict, the Balkans can be once again a cradle of democracy, peace and stability. All our neighbours should be aware that we are ready to give all guarantees for the territorial integrity of the States in the region, and this is what we also expect from them. We believe that with all our neighbours, hand in hand, we can join Europe".

"This is great moment for all of us to go forward let's do it at this table, never at the battlefield - never again", Minister Svilanovic said.

On behalf of FRY President Vojislav Kostunica, the Foreign Minister also formally invited an OSCE rapporteur mission to visit Yugoslavia, and the OSCE to observe the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia, to be held on 23 December 2000.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org