OSCE Chairperson in Belgrade: Important to Reduce Tension, Divisive Rhetoric

OSCE

Elina Valtonen, OSCE chairperson and the foreign minister of Finland, said in Belgrade on Sept. 15 that the OSCE was following developments in Serbia and incidents during protests.

"It is important to defuse tensions and avoid inflammatory or divisive rhetoric. The OSCE's Mission mandate is to help Serbia build strong, independent, accountable, and effective democratic institutions, and support the work of civil society," she told reporters after meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric.

Democratization, free media, the freedom of speech, gender equality, human rights, independent institutions, representatives of ethnic minorities and representatives of the academic community are key to reformatory processes in Serbia, she said, and will remain the OSCE's focus.

"We all have the responsibility to protect peaceful assembly and freedom of speech -- fundamental rights at all times," she said, adding that, as chair of the OSCE, she stressed the importance of those commitments.

In a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut, Valtonen stressed that Finland as the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe greatly appreciated Serbia's dedication to working with the organization and that it would continue to support reform processes in Serbia.

Valtonen said the partnership between Serbia and the OSCE would continue and be strengthened by working together to advance the rule of law, democracy and human rights, the Serbian government said in a press release.

Macut said Serbia had good cooperation with OSCE institutions, especially the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and "showed readiness to work consistently to improve the electoral system and the overall election environment," the statement read.