OSCE Chairperson welcomes Joint Ministerial Declaration on addressing refugee situation in South-Eastern Europe

VILNIUS, 7 November 2011 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, welcomed the Joint Declaration signed by the four countries involved in the regional process on ending displacement and ensuring solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), in Belgrade today. He underscored the importance of this process for security and stability in South-Eastern Europe.

Ažubalis also praised the commitment and co-operation shown by the four governments to find solutions for displaced communities through the elaboration of the Joint Regional Multi-Year programme, which will be presented at a Donors’ Conference to be held in early 2012. 

The Joint Declaration on Ending Displacement and Ensuring Durable Solutions for Vulnerable Refugees and IDPs was signed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia at the Ministerial Review Conference.

“I commend the four governments for their continued engagement and resolve to overcome the difficulties of the past and seek durable solutions for vulnerable refugees and IDPs,” said Ažubalis. “I am particularly proud of the OSCE’s role in supporting this process together with the EU and the UNHCR as well as other international partners, and I encourage all parties to build on the impressive progress that has been achieved since the Belgrade Ministerial Conference in March 2010.”

He added: “Today’s event is significant, not only because it demonstrates that some of the most difficult issues can be resolved, but because it gives fresh hope that this might be replicated for the resolution of other outstanding issues in this part of Europe and elsewhere. The OSCE remains fully committed to supporting this project to the benefit of the vulnerable communities who expect and deserve durable solutions to the problems they have lived with for far too long.”

Paul Fritch, the Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General represented the OSCE at the Ministerial Review Conference. He emphasized the importance of committing the necessary funds at the 2012 Donors’ Conference, which will “offer the international community a concrete opportunity to help the people of this region close a painful chapter in their history”.

“Ultimately, even in this time of financial austerity, the success of this common effort will not be judged by how much it cost, or by who did what and when. The only true measure will be the impact of our joint efforts on the affected communities,” said Fritch. “The OSCE stands ready to do all it can to help ensure that this process reaches a successful conclusion.”