Progress made in Serbia-Romania dialogue on minority issues in consultations facilitated by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

On 28 February and 1 March 2013, delegations from the Serbian and Romanian Governments met for the second time in the Netherlands for informal consultations under the auspices of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), Ambassador Knut Vollebaek.

The aim of this second meeting was to assess progress and agree on practical steps to further promote the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in eastern Serbia, based on the assessment of the implementation of the Protocol signed by both sides in Brussels on 1 March 2012, as well as on the HCNM’s Bolzano/Bolzen Recommendations on National Minorities in Inter-State Relations and the agreements reached in the first round of consultations in October 2012. Participants welcomed the appointment of the new Serbian Co-chair of the Joint Inter-Governmental Commission.

Both delegations welcomed the commencement of Romanian language TV broadcasts by RTV Bor in eastern Serbia. The delegations agreed to expand co-operation at the technical level to resolve a number of outstanding issues, including signal strength. Avenues are being explored for the introduction of locally produced programming as well as to address issues relating to the coverage of RTV Bor, in accordance with the law.

The Serbian delegation announced the launch of a pilot programme called “Romanian language with elements of national culture.” This will start in April and will be open to all interested students. Serbia intends to incorporate this course in the regular school curricula in eastern Serbia, starting with the school year 2013-2014. The Serbian Government will conduct outreach activities in order to inform parents of the available opportunities. The Serbian delegation added that accredited textbooks are available.

The delegations agreed to continue talks on issues of mutual concern regarding religious matters.

After the meeting, Ambassador Vollebaek said: "I am pleased with the progress that has been made since the last meeting, particularly in the areas of access to education and availability of media programming in the Romanian language. I commend the delegations on their pragmatic attitude and willingness to resume bilateral talks within the framework of the Joint Inter-Governmental Commission. I will remain seized of the matter.”