OSCE Ministerial Troika discussed issues at Bucharest meeting

BUCHAREST, 23 January 2001 - The OSCE Ministerial Troika, represented by the Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, The Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Albert Rohan, and the Portugese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, met today in Bucharest.

The Ministers focused on current issues of concern to the OSCE, among them recent developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the situation in Kosovo, regional issues in the Caucasus, including the situation in Chechnya (Russian Federation), as well as the situation in Belarus.

Also participating in the meeting were the Secretary General of the OSCE, Jan Kubis; the President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Adrian Severin; the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly, Spencer Oliver; the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Gérard Stoudmann, as well as representatives of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

The Ministers welcomed the recent visit of the Chairman-in-Office to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and commended the Yugoslav leadership for their constructive and co-operative approach. In this regard, the Ministers noted with satisfaction the steady progress on the establishment and build-up of the new OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Ministers also welcomed the appointment of Ambassador Stefano Sannino as Head of the OSCE Mission to FRY. With the heads of the OSCE Institutions, they discussed future OSCE activities in FRY as well as co-operation with the Council of Europe.

Acknowledging the good work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, in co-operation with the other pillars of the United Nations Mission, the Ministers noted that there is still much to be done in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to lay the grounds for a genuine multiethnic society.

Touching upon the eventuality of planning Kosovo-wide elections this year, the Ministers pointed out the importance of identifying an appropriate time and determining the exact role and status of the body to be elected. They also stressed the necessity of actively involving the host country, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in the preparatory process. At the same time, they encouraged the OSCE Mission in Kosovo to pay appropriate attention to election-related issues and preparations. The Ministers further addressed the possible effects on Kosovo due to the volatile security situation in the Presevo area in Southern Serbia.

In view of this year's parliamentary elections in Albania, the Ministers called upon all parties of the Albanian political spectrum to swiftly implement all the recommendations of the Council of Europe and ODIHR regarding the local elections held in October 2000.

The Ministers drew to the attention of the authorities of the Russian Federation the conclusions of the Istanbul Summit 1999 regarding Chechnya and urged them to take all steps aiming at a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They stressed the readiness of the OSCE to assist in this. Expressing their concern about recent deterioration of the security situation in the Republic, they underlined their hope that this would not hinder the return of the Assistance Group to Chechnya, which remains a priority for the Organization.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the withdrawal process of the Russian Federation military equipment from Georgia is proceeding in conformity with the timetable agreed upon in Istanbul. They expressed their expectation that the remaining Istanbul commitments regarding Georgia would be implemented in a similar manner, as well as those concerning Moldova. The Ministers also stressed their determination to promote the resolution of so called "frozen conflicts" (namely in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh and Transdnistria).

The Ministers voiced their concern regarding the worsening climate of relations between the Russian Federation and Georgia. In this context, they called upon both States to resolve the problems in their relations, including the introduction and application of the new visa regime and the question of supply of natural gas, in a spirit of co-operation and good-neighbourly relations.

The Ministers expressed their hope for an early accession of Armenia and Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe, which could contribute to the promotion of regional stability in the Southern Caucasus.

The Ministers stressed the importance of the unhindered work of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus (OSCE AMG). They underlined that the OSCE AMG had done an excellent job so far and could count on the full support of the members of the Troika. The Ministers urged all parties in Belarus to commit themselves to a meaningful dialogue, especially as Belarus enters the crucial period leading to the presidential elections. The OSCE Troika stressed the importance of progress in meeting the requirements set out for the holding of free and fair elections.

The Chairman-in-Office confirmed to the members of the Troika his intention to visit South-Eastern Europe in the coming weeks to discuss a framework for future co-operation.