OSCE High Commissioner discusses recent incidents of ethnic tension with authorities in Skopje

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek visited Skopje from 8 to 10 February 2012 to discuss with the authorities the recent interethnic incidents in the country.

Vollebaek met with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, President Gjorge Ivanov and the Heads of the main political parties and religious communities in the country. He also addressed the Parliamentary Committee on Inter-Community Relations in Skopje.

Referring to recent interethnic incidents in the Struga area that involved acts offensive to the Muslim community and were followed by reprisal attacks on the religious property of the other ethnic or religious groups, Vollebaek said: “such incidents show how easily tensions can escalate and ignite in the country. They could have destabilizing effects if they are not handled with resolve by the authorities.”

“The fact that such interethnic incidents are repeated should increase the authorities’ commitment and efforts to address the root causes of ethnic tension. I urge them to work with determination towards social cohesion policies, not least in the field of education, to reinforce the stability of the country.”

Vollebaek also noted that sensationalist reporting in the local media could feed such tensions.

In a speech to the Parliamentary Committee, he commended the Committee for its prompt action in calling an extraordinary session to discuss the effects of these recent incidents and called for the Committee to fully embrace its role to preserve and consolidate mutual understanding.

The full text of his speech can be found here: //www.osce.org/hcnm/88054