News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
In Washington, high-level OSCE PA representatives laud role of the OSCE in South East Europe
Publishing date: 8 February 2018
WASHINGTON, 8 February 2018 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli and Secretary General Roberto Montella are in Washington this week, where they participated in a forum on geopolitics in South East Europe on Tuesday. The event at the U.S. Senate featured remarks from prime ministers and members of parliament, who addressed challenges facing the region of South East Europe, as well as members of the U.S. Congress...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities assesses inter-ethnic relations and education issues in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region
Publishing date: 8 February 2018
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier visited Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region from 5 to 7 February 2018 to assess inter-ethnic relations in the region. His visit to this western region of Ukraine was a follow-up to his trip to Kyiv in December 2017...
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 6 February 2018
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and while present in Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote it observed calm situations. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including near Manuilivka and to a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled part of Donetsk region.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Makiivka and Novoamvrosiivske. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair and maintenance works to essential civilian infrastructure near Vasylivka, Artema and Kadiivka. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. The SMM observed a gathering at the Polish consulate in Lviv...
Work of international actors in preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons in focus at OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
VIENNA, 7 February 2018 – The work of international actors, including the OSCE’s contribution, in supporting the implementation of the 2004 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 on preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons was explored at today’s OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting in Vienna, held under Slovakia’s Chairmanship...
Detention of hundreds in Turkey for expressing dissenting views on military operation in Afrin is unacceptable, OSCE representative warns
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
VIENNA, 7 February 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir turned to the authorities of Turkey yesterday to strongly contest the detention of hundreds of social media users for expressing their critical views on the Afrin operations in Syria...
OSCE/ODIHR final report says Austria’s parliamentary elections professionally administered, recommends greater access to information for citizens, better guarantees for electoral dispute resolution
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
While concluding that the 15 October 2017 early parliamentary elections in Austria were conducted in an efficient and professional manner, with civil and political rights fully respected, the final report issued by observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
OSCE media freedom representative addresses independence of public service broadcaster and media self-regulation during his visit in Montenegro
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
PODGORICA, 7 February 2018- In the first of a series of official visits in South-Eastern Europe the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, met on 5 and 6 February with the authorities and media professionals in Podgorica...