PRISTINA, 13 May 2003 - Ambassador
Pascal Fieschi, OSCE Head of Mission, is next week starting a series of
meetings with Kosovo's Provisional Institutions of Self-Government to seek
action on improvements in the situation for minorities in Kosovo
Ambasasdor Fieschi will address the
issue based on the recommendations of the Tenth OSCE/UNCHR "Assessment
on the Situation of Ethnic Minorities in Kosovo."
To tackle the condition of ethnic minorities, the latest Assessment called for an approach that combined the strong and committed leadership of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government as well as the continued active engagement of UNMIK and other international actors.
"I hope that these meetings will assist the responsible authorities to implement and realize the recommendations of the report. We will continue to monitor the situation of minorities and will look at the successes and challenges in implementation," said Ambassador Fieschi.
Consultations will be held with Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Minster of Public Services, and the Minister of Health.
Topics to be discussed include the passage of the OSCE-drafted Omnibus Anti-discrimination Law, greater minority representation in the civil service, access to essential social services, property rights, access to justice, security and freedom of movement, and confidence building initiatives in all minority communities.
These meeting aim to enable Kosovo's governmental institutions to evaluate what steps are required to improve the conditions for minorities living in Kosovo and provide stronger protections from discrimination.
PR OMIK HR 35/03
ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE / Mission in Kosovo
For further information, contact the OSCE Spokesperson Poul Smidt, Tel: (+381-38) 500-162 x260 / mobile: +377-44-500-150, e-mail: press@omik.org / website: www.osce.org/kosovo