News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Permanent Council approves 2018 budget for the Organization
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
VIENNA, 15 February 2018- The OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today approved the Organization’s budget for 2018.
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 14 February 2018
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed fresh damage caused by gunfire to a house in Hranitne and to a wall at the Donetsk Filtration Station. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Mineralne and Nova Tavriia.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Bila Hora. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure near Marinka and Yasynuvata. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. The SMM followed up on reports of alleged arson in Lviv.
Japan Foreign Minister Kono and OSCE Secretary General Greminger meet in Vienna to discuss furthering co-operation and joint activities
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
Vienna, 15 February 2018 – Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Kono today met with Secretary General Thomas Greminger at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, where they discussed Japan’s continuing engagement within the OSCE Asian Partnership and possible areas of further co-operation. The visit was the first ever to the OSCE by a Japanese foreign minister.
Chief Negotiators for the Transdniestrian settlement process outline progress, commit to further steps
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
CHISINAU, 15 February 2018- The first meeting in the 1+1 format between the Moldovan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiators, Cristina Lesnic and Vitaly Ignatiev, respectively, took place in Chisinau on 15 February.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media welcomes decision to release Ali Feruz and allow him to leave Russia for Germany
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
VIENNA, 15 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the decision of the Russian judicial authorities to release the Uzbek journalist Khudoberdi Nurmatov, also known under his penname Ali Feruz, a contributing journalist to Novaya Gazeta, and allow him to leave the country
Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 14 February 2018
Publishing date: 15 February 2018
MINSK, 14 February 2018 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its Working Groups in Minsk on 14 February 2018:
Forum for Security Co-operation/Permanent Council meeting highlights the importance of a strategic OSCE approach in assisting national Security Sector Governance and Reform processes
Publishing date: 14 February 2018
VIENNA, 14 February 2018 – The OSCE, because of its comprehensive approach to security, is well positioned to support States on their national Security Sector Governance and Reform programmes, said speakers at today’s joint meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation and Permanent Council in Vienna...