OSCE Chairman-in-Office commends Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities on conduct of general elections

LISBON, 7 October 2002 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz, commends the authorities and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the orderly way in which the general elections on 5 October were carried out.

"The first elections conducted by the country's authorities were a decisive moment for shaping the future of the country and a unique opportunity for the people and authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to show that they are willing to take ownership of their own destiny in a responsible and sustainable manner", he said.

After six years of direct management of all election activities, in which the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina played a key role, the OSCE's strategy of gradually handing over the full administration of the election process to the national authorities proved successful. The professional standards of the Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its President and its Secretariat should also be highlighted in this regard.

All those elected must now continue and strengthen the reform process, which is essential for the consolidation of a multi-ethnic state based on the Rule of Law and of utmost importance in the process of bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The OSCE remains fully committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina and its people in consolidating democracy and stability.

The Chairman-in-Office praised the joint efforts of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular commended the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the International Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina for their valuable contribution to these successful elections.