Head of OSCE Skopje Mission stresses importance of second round of presidential elections
The second round of presidential elections in the country will be held on 28 April 2004. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
SKOPJE, 23 April 2004 - The Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Carlos Pais, stressed the importance of a successful and democratic second round of presidential elections in meetings with representatives of the four main political parties (DPA, SDSM, DUI and VMRO-DPMNE).
Ambassador Pais congratulated the political parties on the first round of elections, which in the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), were largely consistent with OSCE commitments and international standards, although some minor irregularities were noted.
"It is extremely important that the second round of elections on 28 April should be successful and result in the election of a new President with the strong and active participation by voters, following a genuinely democratic process," Ambassador Pais said.
He stressed that good and orderly elections would allow the return to the necessary reform process which plays a crucial role in facilitating Euro-Atlantic integration.
Ambassador Pais congratulated the political parties on the first round of elections, which in the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), were largely consistent with OSCE commitments and international standards, although some minor irregularities were noted.
"It is extremely important that the second round of elections on 28 April should be successful and result in the election of a new President with the strong and active participation by voters, following a genuinely democratic process," Ambassador Pais said.
He stressed that good and orderly elections would allow the return to the necessary reform process which plays a crucial role in facilitating Euro-Atlantic integration.