OSCE Secretary General, in Skopje, condemns latest violence and welcomes authorities’ swift response

SKOPJE, 13 March 2012 – The OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, in Skopje today to meet government officials, condemned the recent series of violent incidents in the country and welcomed the authorities’ response.

“I condemn the recent violence and welcome the quick action by the authorities to calm the situation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Zannier following his meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska.

“The resolution of such incidents with a transparent, impartial and thorough investigation is very important because leaving such cases unresolved can negatively influence inter-ethnic cohesion.”

The Secretary General is in Skopje for a two-day visit to discuss recent developments as well as the work of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, Musa Xhaferri, Zannier underlined the close co-operation between the authorities and the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

“The OSCE is committed to the Ohrid Framework Agreement. It is the only viable medium-term roadmap to strengthen the institutions that protect the rights of all citizens in this multi-ethnic country,” he said.

The OSCE Mission operates as part of the international community supporting the implementation of the Agreement through police development, strengthening good governance and the rule of law.

“Over the years together with the authorities we have increased representation of non-majority communities in public administration, military and public enterprises. We have strengthened the institutions of local self government; and are working on projects in the area of rule of law,” said Zannier.

The OSCE, through its High Commissioner on National Minorities, has also been working actively with the government to address increasing ethnic separation in schools. In late 2010, the Government pledged to adopt the Integrated Education Strategy.

“I encourage the Government to move forward with structural and political support to the implementation of the Strategy,” said Zannier.

During the meetings, he stressed that free and independent media are a cornerstone of any democracy and that the OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media is working on current reform of the media legislation, especially to decriminalize defamation: “I am pleased that this process is ongoing and that a high level dialogue on media situation has started between the Government and the Association of Journalists and that this is bearing initial fruit.”

Zannier discussed co-operation with the EU, US and NATO representatives in Skopje, met the President of the Democratic Party of Albanians, Menduh Thaci and his Deputy as well as senior parliamentarians and advisors. He also met the Deputy President of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Gordan Georgiev, and held discussions with a group of civil society representatives.

Tomorrow Zannier concludes his visit after meeting President Gjorge Ivanov and Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.