Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Deliberate shooting at KVM vehicles
Publishing date: 21 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Reform and co-operation in the security sector
PRISTINA, 21 January-- The commander of the KLA forces in the Decani area has acknowledged publicly that his forces were responsible for the shooting and wounding of two KVM personnel on 15 January, saying it was due to a misunderstanding....
Head of Kosovo Verification Mission declared "persona non grata"
Publishing date: 19 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
OSLO, 19 January 1999-- On 18 January the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Knut Vollebaek received the message from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic that Ambassador William Wal
Statement by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Kosovo
Publishing date: 19 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
OSLO, 19 January 1999-- The OSCE and the international community are fully united in their concern over the increased tension in the region....
OSCE Permanent Council Chairman shocked over killings in Kosovo
Publishing date: 18 January 1999
VIENNA, 18 January 1999-- The Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OSCE, following today's discussion in the Permanent Council, expresses shock over the killings of ethnic Albanian civilians in southern Kosovo on Friday, 15 January....
Yugoslav authorities request meeting with KVM
Publishing date: 17 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 17 January 1999-- After the conclusion of a meeting with Yugoslav authorities in the town of Stimlje, General Drewienkewicz of the Kosovo Verification Mission said...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns atrocities in Kosovo
Publishing date: 16 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
OSLO, 16 January 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek of Norway, expressed shock and outrage over the killings of ethnic Albanian...
Two OSCE Mission members wounded in Kosovo
Publishing date: 16 January 1999
PRISTINA, 16 January 1999-- Ambassador William Walker, Head of The Kosovo Verification Mission said: "Yesterday afternoon, near the village of Pozar, in the Decani region, two of my mission...
Statement by Parliamentary Assembly President on visit to Croatia
Publishing date: 13 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
ZAGREB, 13 January 1999-- In my capacity as President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly- representing more than 300 parliamentarians from 54...
Journalist killed in Kosovo
Publishing date: 12 January 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 January 1999-- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the media was saddened to learn of the death of Enver Maloku, a prominent Albanian journalist in Kosovo, who was fatally shot by unknown gunmen on Monday. His death tragically...
Hostages seen alive and well in Kosovo
Publishing date: 10 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 10 January 1999-- The OSCE KVM mediators in the negotiations to release the 8 VJ soldiers confirm that they visited the prisoners at about 3.15 pm on Saturday 9 January and also on the 10th.
Alleged mass grave site in Kosovo
Publishing date: 10 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 10 January 1999-- On 29 December 1998 the OSCE Human Rights Division was informed via the US KDOM of an alleged mass grave in the Urosevac area, south of Pristina. The US KDOM received the information from the Kosovo...
Irresponsible acts by Kosovo Liberation Army increase tension
Publishing date: 9 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 9 January 1999-- KVM wishes to state that irresponsible actions by the KLA since yesterday morning are the main reasons for a considerable increase of tension in Kosovo....
Chairman-in-Office to address OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Publishing date: 8 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
VIENNA, 8 January 1999-- The Standing Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will hold its winter Meeting...
Fourth OSCE Regional Center opens in Kosovo
Publishing date: 8 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 8 January 1999-- The OSCE KVM will open the fourth regional center (RC4) in Gnjilanje on Saturday, 9 January 1999...
Serious breach of the ceasefire in Kosovo near Prizren
Publishing date: 8 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Reform and co-operation in the security sector
PRISTINA, 8 January 1999-- KVM strongly condemns an unacceptable breach of the Kosovo ceasefire today near Prizren, between the villages of Suka Reka and Stimlje.
Parliamentary Assembly President visits OSCE Mission in Croatia
Publishing date: 7 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
COPENHAGEN, 7 January 1999- From 11 to 13 January 1999 Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will pay a three- day visit to the Republic of Croatia...
Unacceptable developments in Pristina
Publishing date: 7 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Democratization
PRISTINA, 7 January 1999-- The Kosovo Verification Mission expresses its strong concern about the unacceptable developments today around Pristina where demonstrations by civilians, many of them armed and masked, established roadblocks and prevented the p
OSCE Chairman-in-Office to visit countries effected by the Kosovo conflict
Publishing date: 6 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
OSLO, 6 January 1999-- The new Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk, will make a trip to the Balkans on 9- 13...
Café blast in Pristina
Publishing date: 6 January 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 6 January 1999-- On the evening of Tuesday 5 January a hand grenade was thrown at the window of a café in Pristina. The grenade exploded outside the café resulting in...
KVM concerned about future of the daily newspaper "Bujku" in Kosovo
Publishing date: 5 January 1999
PRISTINA, 5 January 1999-- On January 4th, 1999, Ambassador Gabriel Keller, Principal Deputy and acting Head of the OSCE- KVM Mission to Kosovo met with the editor-in-chief of the daily "Bujku", Mr. Binak Kelmendi....
OSCE public office for human rights violations opens in Pristina
Publishing date: 28 December 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Human rights
PRISTINA, 28 December 1998-- The OSCE KVM Human Rights Division has established a Public Office open under appointment to anyone wishing to provide information and statement on violations of human rights taking place in Kosovo.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office concerned with breach of ceasefire in Kosovo
Publishing date: 27 December 1998
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
What we do: Reform and co-operation in the security sector
WARSAW, 27 December 1998-- Professor Bronislaw Geremek, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office expresses his deep concern with the renewed fighting and the breach of the fragile ceasefire in Kosovo in recent days....
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns Kosovo violence
Publishing date: 15 December 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
WARSAW, 15 December 1998-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek, strongly condemns the recent violence in Kosovo which comes at a critical juncture in the efforts of the international community to relax tensions a
Statement on Estonia by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Publishing date: 9 December 1998
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 9 December 1998-- The following statement was released today by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel....
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns killings in Chechnya
Publishing date: 9 December 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya (closed)
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 9 December 1998-- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek strongly condemns the brutal killings of three nationals of the United Kingdom and one of New Zealand kidnapped in Chechnya....
OSCE Chairman-in-Office concludes visit to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 26 November 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku (closed)
What we do: Human rights
BAKU, 26 November 1998-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek, is today concluding a four-day visit to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan....
OSCE Ministerial Council meeting to be held in Oslo
Publishing date: 23 November 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 23 November 1998-- The Foreign Ministers of the 54 OSCE Participating States will meet in Oslo on 2 and 3 December for the 7th OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting.
OSCE calls for steps to be taken in Croatia for media rights
Publishing date: 20 November 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Media freedom and development
ZAGREB, 20 November 1998- The media have a vital role to play in democratic societies. If comprehensive information and a diversity of views are not available to the public through the media, then the quality and responsibility of...
Chairman-in-Office meets with OSCE Minsk Group
Publishing date: 19 November 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Minsk Group
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
WARSAW, 19 November 1998-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Bronislaw Geremek, met today in Warsaw with the French, Russian and United States Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group...
Anniversary of the fall of Vukovar, Croatia
Publishing date: 18 November 1998
ZAGREB, 18 November 1998- Seven years ago, terrible crimes were committed against the people of Vukovar. These crimes have been acknowledged by the entire world. They will not...
OSCE to monitor referendum on the constitution in Albania
Publishing date: 17 November 1998
COPENHAGEN, 17 November 1998-- Italian Senator Tana de Zulueta, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), will take charge of the OSCE\'s monitoring of the Referendum on the Constitution in Albania on Sunday 22 November.
Permanent Council statement on violence towards OSCE personnel in Albania
Publishing date: 11 November 1998
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania, Permanent Council
VIENNA, 11 November 1998- The Permanent Council of the OSCE has with deep dismay taken note of two violent incidents yesterday affecting the security of the OSCE personnel in Shkodra...
OSCE statement on inter-ethnic issues in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 10 November 1998
Content type: Press statement
What we do: National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 10 November 1998-- On 6 November 1998, Mr. Max van der Stoel, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, issued a statement on a number of inter-ethnic issues in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Inter-ethnic relations need further attention in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 9 November 1998
Content type: Press statement
What we do: National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 9 November 1998-- Statement on inter-ethnic relations in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities:
Environmental conference in Istanbul
Publishing date: 2 November 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Economic activities, Environmental activities
VIENNA, 2 November 1998-- The OSCE, together with the Government of Turkey, and in cooperation with the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, will host a seminar in Istanbul on 5 and 6 November on \"Sub-Regional Environmental Problems and Cooperative Approache
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns new Serbian law on information
Publishing date: 27 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
WARSAW, 27 October 1998-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, today expressed his profound concern about the draconian law on information passed on 20 October.
OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission to be established
Publishing date: 25 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Permanent Council, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
VIENNA, 25 October 1998-- The OSCE Permanent Council decided today to authorize \"the immediate start-up deployment of the Kosovo...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media meets independent editors from Yugoslavia
Publishing date: 23 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 23 October 1998- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, has invited editors from the Yugoslav independent media to a meeting in Budapest to show his support...
OSCE concerned about the new Serbian information law
Publishing date: 21 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Media laws, Media pluralism
VIENNA, 21 October 1998- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is seriously concerned with the adoption of the Law on Public Information by the Serbian...
Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Troika meet in Oslo
Publishing date: 21 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Troika
OSLO, 21 October 1998-- The OSCE Troika, the Foreign Minister of Poland, Bronislaw Geremek, the Foreign Minister of Norway, Knut Vollebeak and the Foreign Minister of Denmark, Niels...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office on armed insurrection in Georgia
Publishing date: 21 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Georgia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
WARSAW, 21 October 1998-- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek, is concerned about the recent armed insurrection in Western Georgia. This is a...
OSCE appoints Head of Kosovo Verification Mission
Publishing date: 17 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
WARSAW, 17 October 1998-- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, appointed Ambassador William Graham Walker of the United States as Head of the OSCE Kosovo today...
Presidential elections in Azerbaijan fall short of OSCE commitments
Publishing date: 16 October 1998
WARSAW, 16 October 1998-- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister Bronislaw Geremek, regrets that the Presidential Election in the Republic of Azerbaijan fell short of OSCE...
Committee on Belarus established by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Publishing date: 16 October 1998
COPENHAGEN, 16 October 1998- The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has established an ad hoc Committee on Belarus. President of the Assembly, Mrs. Helle Degn, MP (Denmark), has...
OSCE concerned about the war against independent media in Yugoslavia
Publishing date: 15 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 15 October 1998-- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is increasingly worried by the renewed declaration of war against the independent media proclaimed by Milosevic\'s government...
US Special Envoy for Kosovo addresses Permanent Council
Publishing date: 15 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Permanent Council, OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission (closed)
VIENNA, 15 October 1998- Ambassador Christopher R. Hill, US Special Envoy for Kosovo, briefed the special session of the OSCE...
OSCE decides to support verification mission for Kosovo
Publishing date: 15 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Permanent Council
VIENNA, 15 October 1998- At a special meeting on Kosovo today, the OSCE Permanent Council issued a Decision which declares the preparedness of the OSCE to...
Former Romanian Foreign Minister to head committee on Belarus
Publishing date: 15 October 1998
COPENHAGEN, 15 October 1998- The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has established an ad hoc Committee on Belarus. Mrs. Helle Degn, MP...
Croatian parliamentarians discuss media law amendments with experts
Publishing date: 12 October 1998
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Media freedom and development
ZAGREB, 12 October 1998-- On Friday, 9 October, the OSCE Mission to Croatia organized a meeting between members of the House of Representatives of the Parliament and media experts from the Council of Europe, in order to discuss amendments to the HRT Law.
Head of OSCE election observers in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia appointed
Publishing date: 12 October 1998
COPENHAGEN, 12 October 1998-- Mr. Tekin Enerem MP (Turkey), Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will arrive in Skopje on Wednesday 14 October to lead the OSCE observers for the Parliamentary Elections in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace