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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Presidential elections in Ukraine mark milestone for further de-escalation, says Swiss Chairperson-in-Office
Publishing date: 26 May 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution, Elections
BERN, 26 May 2014 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister, Didier Burkhalter, rates the early presidential elections in Ukraine of May 25 as an important milestone in the process of de-escalation of the crisis. He thanked the election observation mission of the OSCE Office Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to Ukraine and the observation delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for their invaluable work...
Despite violence and threats in east, Ukraine election characterized by high turnout and resolve to guarantee fundamental freedoms, international observers say
Publishing date: 26 May 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
KYIV, 26 May 2014 – The 25 May early presidential election in Ukraine was characterized by high turnout and a clear resolve by the authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and that respected fundamental freedoms, despite the hostile security environment in two eastern regions of the country, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. While the election administration ran the process impartially and transparently on the whole, some decisions taken may have been beyond its authority...
OSCE Representative mourns death of Italian journalist and his assistant in Ukraine
Publishing date: 25 May 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 25 MAY 2014- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said she was deeply saddened about the death of Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his assistant Andrey Mironov in eastern Ukraine. Mijatović expressed her sincere condolences to Rocchelli’s and Mironov’s families and colleagues...
Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received until 23 May, 18:00 (Kyiv time)
Publishing date: 24 May 2014
Content type: Daily report
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Significant tensions remain in Donetsk city and much of the surrounding region, particularly to the north and north-east of the city; and in Luhansk city and the area to the south. Other parts of Ukraine were calm.
Soares and Kanerva arrive in Kyiv to lead OSCE short-term election observers
Publishing date: 24 May 2014
KYIV, 23 May 2014 – Joao Soares (MP, Portugal), the Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE's short-term observation mission for Ukraine's presidential election, has arrived in Kyiv alongside fellow parliamentarians ahead of the 25 May vote...
With election day approaching, OSCE Chairperson welcomes progress on national dialogue in Ukraine, calls for stopping violence and provocations
Publishing date: 23 May 2014
BERN, 23 May, 2014 – Commending the Ukrainian authorities for their measures to reduce tensions, Swiss Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Didier Burkhalter, called upon all sides – and particularly upon the parties of the Geneva Statement of 17 April –, to lend full support to the country in its efforts for de-escalation and for a peaceful solution of the crisis, including the holding of early presidential elections...
Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received until 22 May, 18:00 (Kyiv time)
Publishing date: 23 May 2014
Content type: Daily report
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
In Donetsk and Luhansk the situation remained volatile. Other parts of Ukraine remained calm.