News and press releases

On 28 and 29 April 2015, the OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitated the removal of about 200 ionized radiation sources from five factories and facilities in Transdniestria...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. Three security incidents involved the SMM in Donetsk region. The SMM monitored the commemoration of the events that took place in Odessa on 2 May 2014...

RIGA, 4 May 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today issued a joint declaration on “Freedom of Expression and Responses to Conflict Situations” together with special rapporteurs on free expression from the United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights...

The OSCE Mission to Skopje in co-operation with the Turkish National Police will train ten police officers from Skopje at the Turkish Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) in Ankara, Turkey from 4 to 8 May 2015, on techniques for investigating organized crime...

BELGRADE, 03 May 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today condemned violations of the cease-fire along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine during the last few days, and expressed in particular serious concern over the use of proscribed heavy weapons as well as the increased fighting in and around Donetsk and Shyrokyne. He once again reiterated the call, supported in Belgrade last week by the ministerial OSCE Troika, to all sides to fully and unconditionally respect the cease-fire, end all hostilities and implement all provisions from the Minsk Agreements, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 3 May 2015 – Unfettered and professional media are key for democratic development of Kosovo, said Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, as he called on institutions to guarantee the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and to provide for a safer working environment for journalists to inform the public timely and objectively...

On 1 May, the SMM was not allowed access to its observation post located 4km north-west of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) where members of the battalion on the ground took position (See SMM Daily Report 2 May, 2015).

KYIV, 2 May 2015- The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, today expressed his deep concern about an increase in incidents over the past 36 hours, involving live fire near and at SMM patrols.

This report is for the media and public The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed ongoing fighting in and around Donetsk airport, in the environs of Shyrokyne, and – to a lesser extent – in a number of other places. The SMM observed military movement on both sides of the contact line. Azov volunteer battalion members occupied an SMM observation point near Shyrokyne. Numerous peaceful rallies were held throughout the country.

VIENNA, 1 May 2015 – Today’s challenges require collective efforts and the OSCE is uniquely placed to restore trust through its inclusive approach to security, Secretary General of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development–GUAM Valeri Chechelashvili told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today.

GYUMRI, Armenia, 1 May 2015 – Sixty young, aspiring Ambassadors gathered today in Gyumri to discuss the challenges addressed by a simulation of the OSCE Permanent Council. The Model OSCE Conference organized by the Office in Yerevan brought together young people from Armenia’s Shirak province in an effort to find solutions to a wide range of issues, including environmental threats, migration pressures, economic instability and political conflict.

ASHGABAT, 1 May 2015 – Seventeen law enforcement officials from Turkmenistan participated in an OSCE-organized training course on examination and detection at borders that concluded today in Turkmenabat, a city in the east of Turkmenistan.

The 17th annual Cetinje Parliamentary Forum on Human Rights and Gender Equality in the Security and Defence Sector was held on 28 and 29 April 2015 in Cetinje, Montenegro, bringing together parliamentary, government representatives and academia from the Western Balkans. The Forum was organized by the Parliament of Montenegro and supported by OSCE Mission to Montenegro...

PARIS, 30 April 2015 – The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France) traveled to Paris to meet with Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, and separately with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, also participated in the meetings...

PODGORICA, 30 April 2015- Montenegro has taken important steps in promoting women's rights and gender equality in the country through developing adequate policies and legislative frameworks but more can be done, the OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Ambassador Miroslava Beham said as she concluded a three-day visit to Montenegro...

Munich, 30 April 2015- Several members of the OSCE Panel of Eminent Persons (PEP) visited Kiev on April 29 and 30 at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine. The panel members met with the leaders of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and other OSCE officials, Ukrainian government officials, and members of the diplomatic community, including the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ukraine.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. Fighting continued around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. The SMM observed military movement on both sides of the contact line.

SARAJEVO, 30 April 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić completed on Wednesday a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). During his visit, Dačić met BiH Presidency members Mladen Ivanić, Bakir Izetbegović and Dragan Čović, Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Crnadak, Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Federation of BiH President Marinko Čavara. During his meetings with senior state officials in Sarajevo, he highlighted the important role that Bosnia and Herzegovina plays in promoting regional co-operation and commended the government for its commitment to undertaking the necessary socio-economic reforms...

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported a study visit to Ulaanbaatar, from 14 to 18 April 2015, comprised of eight representatives from Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament, the Ministry of Economy, the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources, the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry and other key state agencies to familiarize participants with the workings of the mining industry in Mongolia.

CHISINAU, 30 April 2015 – Specialists from the Moldovan Armed Forces, Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry have completed today a two-week OSCE-supported training course on physical security and stockpile management of small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition, at the Armed Forces Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun” in Chisinau...

TASHKENT, 30 April 2015- A three-day course on the identifying and investigating human trafficking cases with participation of 25 police agents and investigators working at airports and railway stations and representing the Transport Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs ended today...

ASTANA, 30 April 2015 – An OSCE-supported workshop on the development of national legislation in the context of Kazakhstan’s transition to a green economy took place today in Astana...

ASHGABAT, 30 April 2015 – International practices for the use of alternative energy resources were discussed during an OSCE–supported three-day study visit to Spain that concluded in Madrid today...

BISHKEK, 30 April 2015 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek today donated professional audio and video equipment to the Information Department the Office of Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic as part of its project to support reforms of the government press office. During the donation ceremony, a handover agreement was signed between parties...

ASHGABAT, 30 April 2015 – Promoting access to information and effective mechanisms for the accreditation of journalists were discussed at an OSCE-organized roundtable that concluded in Ashgabat today...

VIENNA, 30 April 2015 – Strengthening co-operation and co-ordination between the UN, regional organizations and civil society in responding to crises and peace-building is critical, experts concluded at a two-day, high-level international conference which closed today in Vienna. The conference, focusing on strengthening peace and security co-operation towards democracy and development, brought together some 60 experts and practitioners to discuss the root causes of conflicts in their regions, and their role in building strong and inclusive democratic institutions...

ERGNETI, 30 April 2015- On 29 April 2015 the 54th meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place in Ergneti, co-facilitated by the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), Mr Kęstutis Jankauskas, and Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus...

YEREVAN, 29 April 2015 – OSCE Office supported study on perspectives of penitentiary reform and introduction of a probation service in Armenia was presented on 28 April 2015 in Yerevan...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. Fighting continued around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. The SMM observed military movement on both sides of the contact line...

AACHEN, 29 April 2015- The decision to reopen public service broadcaster ERT is a long awaited and important step to protect media pluralism in Greece, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

DUSHANBE, 29 April 2015- The OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs supported a three-day roundtable discussion which ended today with the aim of introducing the concept of community policing in Tajikistan and fostering closer co-operation between law enforcement agencies and local media on ongoing police reform...

ASHGABAT, 29 April 2015 – Gender equality and the participation of women in public life were the focus of an OSCE-organized seminar today in Ashgabat...

ASHGABAT, 29 April 2015 – Eighteen officers from the State Border Service of Turkmenistan completed an OSCE Border Management and Threat Assessment training course, held at the Imamnazar Border Crossing Point on the Turkmen-Afghan border today...

COPENHAGEN, 28 April 2015 – The OSCE’s lack of a clear, international legal status and the challenges that result for its personnel, particularly during crisis situations, was the topic of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s latest Helsinki +40 seminar, held on 27 April in Copenhagen...

VIENNA, 28 April 2015 – Following criminal charges recently brought against an investigative reporter in Luxembourg, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that journalists should not face criminal charges for what they say or write...

BELGRADE, 28 April 2015 – OSCE Chairperson in Office, Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter met in Belgrade today at the Ministerial Meeting of the OSCE Troika. During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers of Serbia, Switzerland and Germany, together with the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, had an extensive exchange of views on different aspects of the situation in and around Ukraine. They reiterated that this crisis can be resolved only through peaceful means and that the political process in that regard should be advanced without delay...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations. The SMM observed that the security situation around the Donetsk airport has seriously deteriorated. The SMM continued to monitor the situation in the area of Shyrokyne and for the first time was not prevented from visiting adjacent villages...

VIENNA, 28 April 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called on the authorities in Skopje to guarantee a healthy media environment in order to ensure journalists’ safety, following a recent wave of threats and acts of intimidation targeting members of the media across the country...

CHISINAU, 28 April 2015 – Over 50 senior and mid-level anti-corruption professionals from Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, as well as experts from international organizations, Europe and the United States gathered in Chisinau for a three-day regional seminar on fostering co-operation in corruption prevention between government and private sector...

WASHINGTON, 28 April 2015 – U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism and Intolerance, met with local leaders and government officials in Paris and Copenhagen over the weekend as follow-up to the violent attacks that took place in both cities earlier this year – the siege at a Kosher Market following the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the shooting at a free speech event at Copenhagen’s main synagogue...

KYZYLORDA, 28 April 2015 – An OSCE-supported training seminar on the development of sustainable fisheries in the Aral Sea region began today in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan...

BISHKEK, 28 April 2015 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is supporting a training course for journalists titled Trafficking in human being: journalists’ ethics and social responsibility of media to be held on 28 April 2015 in Bishkek...

COPENHAGEN, 27 April 2015 – A military advance by illegal separatists in Ukraine on the city of Mariupol could have “disastrous consequences” for efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution to the crisis in the country, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) said today following a meeting of the Assembly’s Bureau in the Danish Parliament...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in and around the wider area of Donetsk airport and Avdiivka, while in Shyrokyne the SMM observed the most intense fighting since February 2015...

VIENNA, 27 April 2015- A high-level conference focusing on how to enhance co-operation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding among the UN, regional organizations and civil society organizations will take place on 29-30 April 2015 in Vienna, Hofburg...

STRASBOURG, France, 27 April 2015 – The OSCE and the Council of Europe launched today a two-day workshop for judges and prosecutors to discuss important measures that will enable them to strengthen the legal rights of human trafficking victims...

ASTANA, 27 April 2015 – The preparations for the 26 April early presidential election in Kazakhstan were efficiently administered, but the predominant position of the incumbent and lack of genuine opposition limited voter choice, the observation mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a statement released today...

On 26 April, the SMM observed what it assessed to be the most intense shelling in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) since fighting began in the area in mid-February 2015. For the last 12 hours, and on-going at the time of this report, the SMM has observed sporadic to continuous exchanges of fire involving small arms, machine gun, rocket propelled grenade and automatic grenade launcher.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM discussed a demilitarization plan for Shyrokyne. The SMM held a round table involving pro and anti-Maidan activists in Odessa.

BELGRADE, 25 April 2015- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić,met today in Belgrade with his Special Representative for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Radojko Bogojević.