News and press releases

The situation of human rights defenders in Montenegro was the main topic of discussion during a roundtable event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 30 August 2018 in Podgorica. The event brought together 37 participants (23 women and 14 men) from

VIENNA, 30 August 2018 – In his first address to the OSCE Permanent Council since his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation on 1 June 2018, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Enzo Moavero Milanesi reaffirmed the strong commitment of his Government to enhance the organization’s role as a forum for political dialogue.

Representatives of government institutions and public organizations discussed topical issues of migration and the role of the OSCE in migration governance at an OSCE-organized roundtable discussion that took place in Ashgabat from 29 to 30 August 2018...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous reporting period. Small-arms fire was directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Khrystove and another SMM mini-UAV experienced jamming near Muratove. The Mission saw fresh damage from shelling to a civilian property in Kriakivka. The SMM heard ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area, including 200-500m from the SMM. The SMM’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in Novolaspa, as well as again in Zaichenko, Bezimenne, and near Novoazovsk and Izvaryne, both near the border with the Russian Federation.* The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to water infrastructure in Luhansk region and repairs to residential houses in Avdiivka. The Mission also facilitated dialogue for repair work assessments at the gas distribution station in Krasnohorivka, South Donbas water pipeline between Avdiivka and Yasynuvata and the Bakhmut Agrarian Union pig farm in Novoluhanske...

A two-day seminar organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on how to develop a module on freedom of expression for journalism faculties in Turkmenistan concluded on 29 August 2018. It brought together journalism instructors, representatives of national media and officials from relevant institutions

SKOPJE, 29 August 2018 – The OSCE Mission to Skopje’s first interim report on the activities and cases of the Special Prosecutor’s Office provides a detailed analysis of, and recommendations for the work of the Office, highlighting the challenges encountered and the successes achieved...

An OSCE-supported two-day regional workshop on operating Special Economic Zones (SEZs) concluded in Aktau, Kazakhstan on 29 August 2018.