News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Military, civilian experts from OSCE states to stay in Ukraine until 20 March
Publishing date: 17 March 2014
On 16 March 2014, Ukraine requested another continuation of the visit by unarmed military and civilian personnel from OSCE participating States. The visit is to cover the south and east of the country and will last until 20 March...
Early parliamentary elections in Serbia offered voters a genuine choice and respected fundamental freedoms, say international observers
Publishing date: 17 March 2014
BELGRADE, 17 March 2014 – The 16 March 2014 early parliamentary elections offered voters a genuine choice, were conducted on a sound legal basis, and fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the campaign, international election observers said in a statement issued today. The observers also highlighted the need for some further legal reform and increased media pluralism...
Preventing exploitation of domestic workers in diplomatic households imperative, OSCE anti-trafficking Co-ordinator says in Brussels
Publishing date: 17 March 2014
The acting OSCE Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ruth Freedom Pojman, at a workshop held in Brussels from 12 to 13 March 2014 urged the Organization’s participating States to work jointly to prevent the exploitation of domestic workers by employers who hold diplomatic immunity...
OSCE supports study tour for Kyrgyzstan customs staff trainers
Publishing date: 17 March 2014
A week-long study tour to Azerbaijan for trainers at Kyrgyzstan’s Customs Training Centre concluded on 15 March 2014 in Baku. The visit was supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek...
OSCE Mission to Skopje promotes democratic values in youth party branches ahead of elections
Publishing date: 17 March 2014
Raising awareness among the youth branches of political parties on the importance of democratic values in an election process was the aim of a conference organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the MOST non-governmental organization on 14 to 16 March 2014...
Chairperson-in-Office calls on all sides to commit to resolving the situation regarding Ukraine through dialogue, with peaceful means and with respect of international law
Publishing date: 16 March 2014
BERN, March 16, 2014 – In the light of the unlawful referendum on the status of Crimea, Swiss Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Didier Burkhalter, discussed over the weekend, at the highest political levels, the situation regarding Ukraine and possible solutions.
OSCE Mission head welcomes orderly completion of vote collection operation in Kosovo
Publishing date: 16 March 2014
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 16 March 2014 – The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, noted at 22:00 hrs this evening that the collection of votes has concluded in an orderly manner. The operation was designed to enable eligible voters in Kosovo to exercise their right and cast ballots in Serbian parliamentary elections...