News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities meets Dutch Foreign Minister, pledges continued co-operation
Publishing date: 17 September 2013
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors met Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans in The Hague on 16 September 2013...
New OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors starts mandate
Publishing date: 20 August 2013
THE HAGUE, 20 AUGUST 2013 – The newly appointed OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), Astrid Thors, started her three-year mandate at the office of the HCNM in The Hague today. Thors has been a Member of the Parliament of Finland since 2004. She also served as Minister of Migration and European Affairs of Finland and was a Member of the European Parliament...
Integration of formerly deported people in Crimea, Ukraine, is focus of OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities’ latest report
Publishing date: 16 August 2013
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Knut Vollebaek published a needs assessment report on 16 August 2013, entitled The Integration of Formerly Deported People in Crimea, Ukraine. The document seeks to provide an up-to-date analysis of the current situation of national minorities in Crimea and offers recommendations for easing inter-ethnic tensions and increasing the integration of Crimean society, as well as attempts to raise awareness of the issue...
OSCE Chairperson welcomes appointment of Astrid Thors as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Publishing date: 17 July 2013
KYIV, 17 July 2013- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, welcomed the appointment of Finnish politician Astrid Thors as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Thors has been a Member of the Parliament of Finland since 2004. She has also served as a Minister of Migration and European Affairs of Finland and was a Member of the European Parliament. Her appointment as OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was a consensus decision of all 57 OSCE participating States...
On visit to Moldova, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities welcomes dialogue on Latin script schools in Transdniestria
Publishing date: 28 June 2013
During a visit to Moldova from 26 to 28 June 2013, Knut Vollebaek, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, welcomed efforts to find solutions for the Latin script schools in Transdniestria.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities visits Serbia, discusses enhancing minority participation
Publishing date: 28 June 2013
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, visited Serbia from 12 to 14 June 2013 to discuss national minority issues with representatives of central and local government and community leaders...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities visits Georgia, discusses integration, expresses concern over developments along the administrative boundary line
Publishing date: 26 June 2013
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Knut Vollebaek visited Georgia from 19 to 20 June 2013...