Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Albania’s local elections largely well administered, but characterized by continued polarization and lack of focus on local issues, international observers say
Publishing date: 15 May 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
Tirana, 15 May 2023 – Albania’s 14 May local elections were generally well-administered, competitive and held with the participation of the country’s key political forces, but the process was characterized by continued polarization between the two main political parties in the country and deep divisions among the opposition, the international observers said in a statement today. Contestants could campaign freely, but issues of importance for local communities barely featured in the campaigns. Cases of the misuse of public resources at both the national and local levels, allegations of pressure on voters and public sector workers, in particular, and of vote-buying were of concern, the observers said.
HCNM reflects upon three decades of quiet diplomacy and conflict prevention
Publishing date: 15 May 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
On 12 May 2023, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov co-organized an expert meeting in Flensburg, Germany, entitled “Three Decades of HCNM’s Experience in Quiet Diplomacy and Conflict Prevention: Lessons Learned and New Challenges”. This is the first of a series of events to mark 30 years since his office was first opened in The Hague.
Türkiye elections marked by unlevel playing field yet still competitive, international observers say
Publishing date: 15 May 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ANKARA, 15 May 2023 – Characterized by a high turnout, Türkiye’s general elections were well-managed and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, but the current president and the ruling parties enjoyed an unjustified advantage. Continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression hindered the participation of some opposition politicians and parties, as well as civil society and independent media, international observers said in a statement today.
OSCE Secretary General visits Japan, calls for enhanced co-operation to address common challenges
Publishing date: 15 May 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Asian Partners for Co-operation, OSCE Secretary General
TOKYO, 15 May 2023 – OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid concluded a visit to Japan, where she met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi and other officials and also took part in the Munich Security Conference Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Japan ahead of the G7 Summit.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani concludes visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 14 May 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 14 May 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, concluded a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
OSCE facilitates Swedish Agency’s needs assessment visit on Montenegro’s firefighting capacities
Publishing date: 12 May 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Montenegro
What we do: Disaster risk reduction, Environmental activities
A needs assessment to evaluate the fire mitigating measures in Montenegro concluded on 12 May, conducted by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) for the Ministry of Defense and with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media concludes her visit to New York and Washington
Publishing date: 12 May 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 12 May 2023- Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Teresa Ribeiro concluded her visit to the United States of America from 1 – 5 May, where she presented the Joint Declaration on Media Freedom and Democracy and hosted several events on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day in New