The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian OSCE Chairmanship were not consulted about today’s statement released by the OSCE Mission to Serbia on Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, which is out of character with their common good cooperation.

In several meetings over the past few months Head of Mission Burckhardt concluded that cooperation was at the highest possible level, that he had good relations with all Ministries and that the aim of the Mission was to support democratic reforms in Serbia. As suggested by Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, it was agreed to have more frequent meetings and consultations aimed at faster reform of institutions, raising the level of democracy and human rights protection in Serbia.

Therefore, today’s statement of the Mission is surprising, issued without consultation with the Serbian OSCE Chairmanship while Head of Mission Burkhart was on a six-day leave and signed by Acting Head of Mission Uyehara, who has been assigned to Serbia for only a few months.

We remind that the positions presented in the statement cannot be the positions of the OSCE, for they are agreed by the OSCE Permanent Council chaired by Serbia. These positions may just be those held by the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

Given that missions are accountable for their work to the Permanent Council and the Chairman-in Office, next week I will have an emergency meeting with Head of Mission Burkhart, immediately upon his return from leave, to discuss further steps to be taken. Serbia, as the country chairing the OSCE, respects and defends the core principles of the OSCE and is ready for any initiative towards improving the reform process, considering any international presence to be a partner for reform in every country, and not sitting in judgment on the internal political affairs of participating States.