Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE reports that more progress is needed in Croatia
Publishing date: 29 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
ZAGREB, 29 September 1999-- The OSCE Mission to Croatia has issued its fifth progress report. The reports, issued every four months, assess the progress of the Government of Croatia in fulfilling its international obligations and commitments...
Election observation mission being deployed to Georgia
Publishing date: 27 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Mission to Georgia (closed)
What we do: Elections
TBILISI, 27 September 1999- An Election Observation will be established for the upcoming parliamentary elections being held in Georgia on 31 October...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office visits Central Asia
Publishing date: 27 September 1999
OSLO, 27 September 1999-- OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek of Norway, will be visiting the Central Asian OSCE member states, Turkmenistan,...
OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission in Ukraine
Publishing date: 24 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
KYIV, 24 September 1999-- An Election Observation Mission in Ukraine for the 31 October presidential election is being established by the Organization for Security and...
New OSCE regional office opens in Durres, Albania
Publishing date: 22 September 1999
TIRANA, Albania, 22 September 1999-- OSCE Head of Presence in Albania, Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, attended the opening ceremony of the new OSCE Regional Office in Durres,...
OSCE condemns desecration of graves of war victims in Croatia
Publishing date: 21 September 1999
VUKOVAR, 21 September 1999-- The OSCE Co-ordination Centre in Vukovar, Croatia, has noted the incident at Erdut Cemetary on 9 October 1999 which affected the graves of war...
OSCE Review Conference in Vienna 20 September- 1 October
Publishing date: 19 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 9 September 1999-- On Monday, 20 September, the 1999 OSCE Review Conference will open at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna. The main purpose of the meeting is to review the entire range of...
Head of Mission in Croatia responds to criticism
Publishing date: 18 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
ZAGREB, 18 September 1999-- On Friday, 15 October 1999, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Immigration and Reconstruction, Dr. Jure Radic, made a speech in the...
ODIHR concerned about elections in Kazakhstan
Publishing date: 17 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Programme Office in Astana, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ALMATY, 17 September 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes release of prisoners-of-war by Armenia
Publishing date: 17 September 1999
VIENNA, 17 September 1999-- The President of Armenia Robert Kocharian yesterday made a decision to unconditionally release three prisoners-of-war to...
Regional arms negotiations resume in Vienna today
Publishing date: 6 September 1999
Content type: Press release
VIENNA, 6 September 1999-- Negotiations under Article V of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dayton/Paris Accords) resumed in Vienna today....
OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission to be deployed to Kazakhstan
Publishing date: 2 September 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WARSAW, 2 September 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR)...
Seminar on Military Doctrine in Austria continues
Publishing date: 26 August 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Reform and co-operation in the security sector
SARAJEVO, 26 August 1999-- The Seminar on Military Doctrine, which started on August 24, 1999 in Vienna, will continue despite yesterday's arrest of General Momir Talic.
OSCE High Commissioner issues statement on national minorities in Greece
Publishing date: 23 August 1999
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 23 August 1999-- The following statement was released today by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel.
Statement by the Chairman-in-Office on the situation in Dagestan
Publishing date: 13 August 1999
OSLO, 13 August 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek of Norway, expresses his deep concern about the latest developments on...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes step towards peace agreement in Tajikistan
Publishing date: 10 August 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
OSLO, 10 August 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, welcomes the...
Chairman-in-Office appoints new Head of OSCE Presence in Albania
Publishing date: 2 August 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Presence in Albania
OSLO, 2 August 1999--The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, has appointed Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens of Germany...
OSCE to play an active role in the Stability Pact
Publishing date: 30 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 30 July 1999- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, today committed the OSCE to play an active role in the development and implementation of the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe...
Women demand greater role in Stability Pact process
Publishing date: 29 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 29 July 1999-- Women parliamentarians and representatives of women's groups from across Southeastern Europe called today for an equal and active role for women in the development and implementation of the Stability Pact....
OSCE endorses women's efforts at Stability Pact Summit
Publishing date: 29 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 29 July 1999-- On behalf of OSCE Chairman in Office Minister Knut Vollebaek, OSCE Head of Mission Robert L. Barry, today endorsed an appeal by women parliamentarians and representatives of women's groups from across Southeastern Europe...
Aims of Stability Pact cannot be imposed without people's participation
Publishing date: 29 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 29 July 1999-- Speaking to regional leaders at the Stability Pact Summit in Sarajevo today, Ambassador Robert Barry, OSCE Special Envoy for Southeastern Europe, said that the people of Southeastern Europe must be active participants...
Stability Pact coverage live on Radio FERN and OSCE BiH website
Publishing date: 28 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 28 July 1999-- As part of activities surrounding this week\'s Stability Pact Summit in Sarajevo, the OSCE Mission to BiH will make breaking news on the...
Bringing civil society into the Stability Pact process
Publishing date: 28 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 28 July 1999-- Representatives of civil society organizations across Southeastern Europe called on Wednesday for greater involvement by non-state actors in the development and implementation of the Stability Pact....
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns killing of civilian Serbs in Kosovo
Publishing date: 25 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights
VIENNA, 25 July 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, strongly deplores the recent massacre of 14 Serbian men in the farming village of Gracko in Kosovo....
OSCE opens office in Yerevan, Armenia
Publishing date: 23 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Permanent Council, OSCE Office in Yerevan (closed)
What we do: Democratization
VIENNA, 23 July 1999-- The OSCE Permanent Council has decided to establish an OSCE Office in Yerevan, Armenia. The Office will start functioning during the second half of 1999 and perform the following functions:...
OSCE welcomes the release of Russian journalist
Publishing date: 20 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 20 July 1999-- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, welcomes the release of Grigory Pasko, a Russian journalist who was arrested in November 1997 and charged with spying.
Albanian reform and development programme reviewed
Publishing date: 20 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Presence in Albania
What we do: Democratization
BRUSSELS, 20 July 1999-- The following statement is a joint press release from the EU Presidency and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the Friends of Albania meeting in Brussels.
New website for OSCE Mission in Kosovo
Publishing date: 19 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo, OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 19 July 1999-- The OSCE launched a new internet web site today, that includes up-to-date information on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The Mission is a component of the United Nations...
OSCE welcomes restoration of minority languages in Slovakia
Publishing date: 19 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 19 July 1999-- The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Mr. Max van der Stoel, issued the following...
Statement on Latvian language law by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Publishing date: 15 July 1999
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 15 July 1999-- The following statement was released today by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max...
Editor of opposition newspaper in Belarus threatened
Publishing date: 12 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 12 July 1999-- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is seriously concerned with reports that a senior editor for the Belaruskaya Delovaya Gazeta, a leading opposition newspaper, had...
OSCE welcomes release of Azerbaijani journalist
Publishing date: 10 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 12 July 1999-- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, welcomes reports that Azerbaijan's sole incarcerated journalist, Fuad Qahramanli, has been granted amnesty...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will send a 'Democracy Team' to Kosovo
Publishing date: 10 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, National minority issues
ST. PETERSBURG, 10 July 1999- The Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE will send a 'Democracy Team' to Kosovo to contribute to the rebuilding of civil society, protection of human rights, development of democracy and the rule of law...
Parliamentary Assembly deplores Yugoslavia's refusal to allow the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to visit Montenegro
Publishing date: 8 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
ST. PETERSBURG, 8 July 1999- Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, currently meeting in St. Petersburg...
Journalism prize funds go to free press projects in Kosovo
Publishing date: 6 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Media freedom and development
ST. PETERSBURG, 6 July 1999- On 6 July 1999, the opening day of the Eighth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg...
Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe placed under OSCE auspices
Publishing date: 1 July 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Permanent Council
VIENNA, 1 July 1999-- The Permanent Council also decided today to place the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe under the auspices of the OSCE....
OSCE Permanent Council decides on mandate for Kosovo Mission
Publishing date: 1 July 1999
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: Permanent Council, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
VIENNA, 1 July 1999-- The Permanent Council of the OSCE today decided on the mandate for the...
OSCE and UNHCHR appeal on UN day in support of victims of torture
Publishing date: 25 June 1999
OSLO, 25 June 1999-- Tomorrow, 26 June, is United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture. On this occasion, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Norwegian...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office designates head of new OSCE Mission in Kosovo
Publishing date: 24 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, National minority issues
OSLO, 24 June 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, has today designated Ambassador Daan Everts as Head...
OSCE Ministerial Troika holds meeting in Oslo
Publishing date: 24 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania, Troika, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
OSLO, 24 June 1999-- The OSCE Ministerial Troika, Foreign Ministers Knut Vollebæk of Norway, Bronislaw Geremek of Poland and Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl representing the...
Journalists in Kosovo need visible 'sign of protection'
Publishing date: 14 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 14 June 1999- The following statement was released today by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve. "Today with great sadness I learned of the deaths of three journalists in Kosovo..."
OSCE Bucharest meeting on Belarusian elections
Publishing date: 14 June 1999
COPENHAGEN, 14 June 1999-- The initiation of a process of dialogue on democratic elections between personalities from various Belarusian organizations took place from 11-13 June...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office to address Parliamentary Assembly
Publishing date: 14 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 14 June 1999-- The Eighth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) will meet in the Taurida Palace in St.-Petersburg from 6 to 10 July 1999....
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns murder of OSCE employee in Albania
Publishing date: 11 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Presence in Albania
What we do: Human rights
OSLO, 11 June 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, condemns the murders yesterday of OSCE local staff member, Mr. Hazir Kuca, and an Albanian communications official travelling with him....
Permanent Council establishes OSCE Transitional Task Force for Kosovo
Publishing date: 9 June 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 9 June 1999-- In a special session yesterday evening, the OSCE Permanent Council decided to establish a Transitional Task Force for Kosovo to focus on preparation for a new Mission in Kosovo....
Ambassador Ján Kubis appointed new OSCE Secretary General
Publishing date: 4 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 4 June 1999-- Ambassador Ján Kubis of Slovakia has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the OSCE. Ambassador Kubis will succeed Ambassador Giancarlo...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office welcomes Yugoslav acceptance of peace plan
Publishing date: 3 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
ZAGREB, 3 June 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk, expresses his satisfaction that the Yugoslav authorities...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia
Publishing date: 1 June 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
VIENNA, 1 June 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, will visit Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Zagreb on 2-4 June....
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President visits Albania
Publishing date: 28 May 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Democratization
COPENHAGEN, 28 May 1999-- On 2-4 June 1999, Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will visit Albania to get acquainted with the present situation in the...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President visits the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 27 May 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Mission to Skopje
What we do: Democratization
COPENHAGEN, 27 May 1999-- From 31 May to 2 June 1999, Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will visit the Former Yugoslav...