Mission Head Jan Braathu briefs OSCE PA Members in Belgrade, 10 October 2024BELGRADE, 12 October 2024 – Concluding a two-day visit to Belgrade, a delegation of OSCE parliamentarians headed by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma noted the unique and continued value of the OSCE’s presence in and co-operation with Serbia.

The visit included meetings with senior officials including Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic, and Members of Serbia’s delegation to the OSCE PA. Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, welcomed the 14 Members of Parliament from 12 countries. The delegation received a full briefing on work by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, including projects related to democratization, security co-operation, rule of law and other topics.

“As a delegation of 14 politicians from 12 countries, we are at times divided in our political opinions. But we are united in our belief in the OSCE process, and in our desire to see a stable and vibrant Serbia,” said Kauma.

In conversations with state authorities, the parliamentary delegation welcomed Serbia’s active engagement with the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly. They discussed fields of work in which the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s work could be particularly impactful. Members also highlighted the usefulness of deepening co-operation among countries in South East Europe.

“At a time when geopolitical differences are seriously hampering the ability for OSCE countries to reach agreement on key issues such as the budget and leadership of the Organization, it is reassuring to personally experience the professionalism of OSCE staff in our field operations, such as here in Serbia,” said the President. “The strong support of authorities we have met here in Belgrade for continued OSCE work is a testament to the contribution the OSCE is having.”

The OSCE PA delegation included three Vice-Presidents including the Assembly’s Special Representative on South East Europe, Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (MP, Cyprus), and parliamentarians from Belarus, Cyprus, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland and Türkiye.

The visit to Serbia is the first of an expected series of visits by parliamentarians to countries hosting an OSCE presence.