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The Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE CSCE), MP Mr. Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, concluded yesterday in Bosnia and Herzegovina the meetings he had in his capacity as the Assembly's Special Representative for South-Eastern Europe. Hadjigianni had separate meetings with the High Representative of the International Community for Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Christian Schimdt, the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Mr. Johann Sattler, representatives of the Presidency of the country, members of the College of the House of Peoples and the House of Representatives, members of the delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the C.P. OSCE, with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, as well as with representatives of non-governmental organizations.
At the meetings Mr. Hadjigiannis referred to the role of the C.C. OSCE and his responsibilities as Special Representative of the Assembly for South-Eastern Europe. "THE CC. The Cypriot MP said that the OSCE Co-operation Council is a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation to achieve peace and security. In this context, he stressed that strengthening the dialogue between citizens and parliaments should continue to be a priority, as the strengthening of democratic institutions will also contribute positively to the reconciliation of the peoples of South-Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans in particular.
Noting that the progress made over the last two and a half decades should continue for the benefit of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Cypriot MP urged all parties concerned to engage in a meaningful dialogue to overcome the challenges. In this context, Mr Hatzigiannis assured of the readiness of the C.C. OSCE to provide all possible support to facilitate political processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stressed the importance of the OSCE's presence in the region through its field missions, and underlined the excellent cooperation between the OSCE Mission and domestic institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Vice-President of the Assembly was also briefed on the latest developments in the Western Balkan countries, in particular on the functioning of state institutions, regional cooperation and the European integration process. Mr Hatzigiannis' interlocutors referred to the ongoing efforts to advance the accession process, while acknowledging that EU accession remains the primary objective and the most effective incentive to advance the reform process in the country. They underlined the importance of the forthcoming European Council decision on the possibility of opening accession negotiations.
Referring to the country's electoral law, Hatzigiannis stressed the need for its immediate reform in line with the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), especially in view of the elections next October. He assured that the OSCE CS is ready to deploy an Election Observation Mission if invited by the national authorities.
Finally, Mr. Hatzigiannis expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the OSCE, the EU, the Office of the High Representative and domestic institutions will have positive results in strengthening regional cooperation, and suggested the organization of an inter-parliamentary forum with the participation of CS delegations. OSCE delegations from the Western Balkans, which will serve as a platform to promote regional cooperation, a proposal that was welcomed by all interlocutors.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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