OSCE Chair welcomes Macedonian elections date

VIENNA, 4 July 2002 - The OSCE Chairmanship expresses its satisfaction at today's official announcement that elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will be held on September 15. With this announcement, the OSCE hopes that adequate preparations will begin for this event of vital importance for the future of all citizens of the country.

Elections come at a time when great progress in the stabilisation of the country has been achieved, with the support of all major parties, through the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. This positive momentum must continue.

It is critical for democracy and for the stability of the country that the campaign and the parliamentary elections are free of violence, intimidation, or inflammatory rhetoric. The OSCE Chairmanship calls on all Macedonian political and party leaders and the public media to recognise it and act accordingly.

The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will deploy a large-scale and long-term election observation mission. The Chairmanship believes that the presence of OSCE observers will contribute to a proper conduct of these elections and to increase public confidence in the vote.