OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine signs Plan of Co-operation with Central Election Commission

KYIV, 8 September 2005 - The Ukrainian Central Election Commission (CEC) today signed a Plan of Co-operation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine during a joint press conference at CEC headquarters.

The agreement regulates how the organizations will co-operate in their joint effort to further improve the Ukrainian election process. It covers areas such as assistance to voters with special needs, up-dating the system of voter lists, educating subjects of the elections process, and raising the legal awareness of voters on election issues.

"The OSCE has proved to be a reliable partner for Ukraine in the sphere of elections during past years. I greatly appreciate and value our co-operation in making the Ukrainian election process more fair and transparent," said Yaroslav Davydovych, Chairman of the CEC, which is the state body responsible for conducting elections.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator Ambassador James Schumaker said, "This Plan shows the willingness of Ukraine to comply with their OSCE commitments and to promptly follow up on ODIHR's recommendations. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator stands willing to assist the Central Election Commission in doing so."

In supporting the Ukrainian Government through projects undertaken within OSCE competencies, the Project Co-ordinator supports the election process in a non-partisan and objective manner. Separately, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the institution responsible for election observation within the OSCE.