News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE/ODIHR report on United States general elections recommends measures to ensure universality and equality of vote for all citizens
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
While stating that the 8 November 2016 elections were highly competitive and demonstrated commitment to fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association...
Romania pledges to be pragmatic in efforts to restore trust and confidence as it begins its Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
VIENNA, 18 January 2017 – Romania will be pragmatic in advancing the dialogue on politico-military issues within the OSCE, said State Secretary of the country’s Foreign Ministry George Ciamba as he opened the first session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under Romania’s Chairmanship today in Vienna...
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 17 January 2017
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs...
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 January 2017
Publishing date: 17 January 2017
The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region during the reporting period compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and observed damage to civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. The SMM observed weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The Mission visited one border crossing point currently not under government control...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz discusses future of Ukraine with youth
Publishing date: 17 January 2017
KYIV, 17 January 2017- Members of the Youth Contact Group, established by the OSCE to promote inter-regional dialogue in Ukraine, today shared their visions of the future with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz during a walking tour of Kyiv today...
Press Statement of Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sajdik after meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on 16 January 2017
Publishing date: 17 January 2017
MINSK, 17 January 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Martin Sajdik made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its working groups in Minsk on 16 January 2017:
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 15 January 2017
Publishing date: 16 January 2017
The security situation remained tense both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions over the weekend. The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 13 and 14 January compared with the previous reporting period. On 15 January the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in each region.