OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities discusses participation of national minorities during visit to Serbia

OSCE High Commissioner Christophe Kamp visited Serbia from 9 to 12 December to discuss with government officials and national minority representatives the management of Serbia’s diverse society, including the various provisions for the empowerment and participation of national minorities to promote the inclusion of all communities. 

In discussions with government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dačić, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić, President of the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the Municipalities of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa Aleksandar Martinović, Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Demo Beriša, and State Secretary of the Ministry of Education Aniko Jeras, High Commissioner Kamp exchanged on how to further implement Serbia’s framework to accommodate the interests of national minorities. Specific attention was devoted to the participation of national minorities in public administration, including in law enforcement, dialogue between central authorities and national minority representatives, ongoing planning and legislative initiatives related to the rights of national minorities, and efforts in the sphere of education related to both mother tongue and the state language. High Commissioner Kamp heard directly from a number of National Minority Councils regarding their priorities and challenges.

High Commissioner Kamp then traveled south to the municipalities of Bujanovac and Presevo where he met with the Mayor of Bujanovac Arber Pajaziti, Mayor of Presevo Ardita Sinani, and Member of the National Assembly Shaip Kamberi.

While in Bujanovac, Kamp co-chaired the 16th Stakeholders’ Committee of the Bujanovac Department of the Subotica Faculty of Economics of the University of Novi Sad, together with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Marcel Peško. The meeting focused on the financial sustainability of the Department.