OSCE/ODIHR Director welcomes improved co-operation with Russian authorities

MOSCOW, 10 September 2009 - Wrapping up a visit to Moscow, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, said today co-operation with the Russian authorities has improved since his last visit a year ago.

During his two-day visit, Lenarcic met Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other high-level officials, as well as representatives of civil society.

"Last year I came to Moscow to rebuild trust and open a new chapter in our co-operation with the Russian Federation," Lenarcic said.

"This visit now took place in a very constructive atmosphere and confirmed that we are on a good track towards strengthening our relations," he added.

Talks during the visit focused on electoral issues, including electronic voting, and the role of civil society. Lenarcic renewed the offer for ODIHR to assist the Russian authorities in implementing Russia's OSCE commitments.

He stressed that co-operation is not about imposing foreign values, but working together to implement the commitments adopted by all OSCE participating States, including the Russian Federation.

While in Moscow, Lenarcic also opened a training course for Russian election observers to be seconded to ODIHR election observation missions.