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The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje

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Survey of OSCE Long-Term Missions and Other OSCE Field Activities
1. Basic decisions

Establishment:

  • 15th CSO meeting, 14 August 1992, Journal No. 2, Annex 1

Modalities:

  • 16th CSO meeting, 18 September 1992, Journal No. 3, Annex 1
  • 17th CSO meeting, 6 November 1992, Journal No. 2, Annex 3
  • "Articles of Understanding concerning the CSCE Spillover Monitor Mission", 7 November 1992
  • Permanent Council decision No. 218, 11 March 1998 (PC.DEC/218).

The decision to establish a CSCE Monitoring Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) was taken in mid-1992 in the context of the efforts to extend the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) to neighbouring countries of Serbia and Montenegro to help avoid the spread of tension to their territory. A decision to explore with authorities in Skopje the possibility of dispatch of similar missions under CSCE auspices was taken at the 15th Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) meeting on 14 August 1992 (15-CSO/Journal No. 2, Annex 1).

The Steering Group on the Yugoslav Crisis worked out on 27 October 1992, the "Modalities and Financial Implications for the CSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje" which were adopted by the open-ended ad hoc Group on 28 October 1992, and approved by the 17th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) on 6 November 1992 (17-CSO/Journal No. 2, Annex 3).

"Articles of Understanding Concerning CSCE Spillover Monitor Mission" exchanged on 7 November 1992 by means of a letter from the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Relations, Mr. Denko Maleski, to the Chairman-in-Office of the Council of Ministers of the CSCE.

2. Tasks

According to the Modalities and Financial Implications as approved at the 17th CSO meeting, the objective of the Mission is to monitor developments along the borders of the Host Country with Serbia and in other areas of the Host Country which may suffer from spillover of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, in order to promote respect for territorial integrity and the maintenance of peace, stability and security; and to help prevent possible conflict in the region.

The above objective is specified in a mandate consisting of the following tasks:

  • continue dialogue with the Governmental Authorities of the Host Party;
  • establish contacts with representatives of political parties and other organizations, and with ordinary citizens;
  • conduct trips to assess the level of stability and the possibility of conflict and unrest;
  • engage in other activities compatible with the CSCE goals of the Mission as defined above;
  • maintain a high profile in the country;
  • in case of incidents, assist in establishing the facts.

The Permanent Council, in a special session on the Kosovo crisis on 11 March 1998, decided (PC.DEL/218) to temporarily enhance the monitoring capabilities of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje in order to allow for adequate observation of the borders with Kosovo, FRY, and prevention of possible crisis spillover effects. The Head of Mission will report regularly on his observations.

3. Deployment

The CSCE Spillover Monitoring Mission to Skopje started its work with a visit to Skopje on September 10-14, 1992.

4. Duration

According to the Modalities, the initial period of operation is at least six months. Subsequent prolongations of the Modalities were decided at:

  • 9th CSO Vienna Group meeting, 1 April 1993:until 18 September 1993;
  • 34th CSO Vienna Group meeting, 28 October 1993:until 18 March 1994;
  • 12th Permanent Committee meeting, 17 March 1994:until 30 September 1994;
  • 34th Permanent Committee meeting, 22 September 1994:until 30 June 1995;
  • 26th Permanent Council (PC) meeting, PC.DEC/52, 22 June 1995:until 31 December 1995;
  • 51st PC meeting, PC.DEC/96, 14 December 1995:until 30 June 1996;
  • 76th PC meeting, PC.DEC/130, 27 June 1996:until 31 December 1996;
  • 93rd PC meeting, PC.DEC/144, 21 November 1996:until 30 June 1997;
  • 120th PC meeting, PC.DEC/173, 19 June 1997:until 31 December 1997;
  • 142nd PC meeting, PC.DEC/202, 4 December 1997:until 30 June 1998;
  • 174th PC meeting, PC.DEC/237, 25 June 1998:until 31 December 1998;
  • 200th PC meeting, PC.DEC/272, 26 November 1998:until 30 June 1999;
  • 236th PC meeting, PC.DEC/302, 24 June 1999:until 31 December 1999;
  • 260th PC meeting, PC.DEC/322, 2 December 1999until 30 June 2000.

The Articles of Understanding remain in force until notification of termination by either Party, 15 days in advance.

5. Composition

According to the Modalities and Financial Implications, the authorized strength of the Mission is 8 members, to be supplemented as required.

In a Statement of 27 June 1996 annexed to the Permanent Council Decision No. 130, the Chairman said it should be possible to maintain the Mission's strength at its present level, namely four members.

Following the Permanent Council decision on 11 March 1998 to enhance the monitoring capabilities on the border with Kosovo, FRY, the number of staff members at the Mission has been temporarily increased to full strength, 8 members.

The Head of Mission (since July 1999) is Ambassador Carlo Ungaro of Italy.

6. Financial Implications

The OSCE Budget for 2000, adopted at the 262nd Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council on 15 December 1999, PC.DEC/331, Mission to Skopje: EUR 598,600..

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