PRISTINA, 2 June 2017 – Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission in Kosovo and Member of the European Parliament for Slovenia, Alojz Peterle, called today for a peaceful campaign and credible elections during a press conference in Pristina.

“I call on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the rest of the campaign, and not to miss this opportunity to ensure credible elections for all the people of Kosovo,” he said.

During his two-day visit to Kosovo, Mr Peterle met with the head of the Central Election Commission Valdete Daka, acting Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, acting Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj as well as representatives of political entities, civil society and the international community.

While acknowledging the challenges posed to the election administration by the short timeframe of 30 days for the 11 June early legislative elections, Peterle said they nevertheless represented “an excellent opportunity to demonstrate democratic maturity.”

He also urged all political actors to “refrain from any language or forms of pressure and intimidation that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.” This includes allowing the media to offer a platform to political entities without interference.

The EOM was deployed following an invitation from the President of Kosovo. A core team of eight analysts arrived in Kosovo on 19 May. In addition to 16 long-term observers deployed across, the Mission will be joined 32 short-term observers, a delegation from the European Parliament as well as locally recruited observers from the diplomatic representations of EU Member States in Kosovo. In total the EOM will comprise around 100 observers drawn from different EU Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland.

A preliminary statement of the EOM’s findings will be presented at a press conference in Pristina within 48 hours of election day. Two to three months after the end of the election process the EOM will publish a final report, including recommendations for future elections.

The EU EOM and the EU Office/EU Special Representative in Kosovo operate independently under their specific mandates.

Press contact: Sarah Crozier, Press and Public Outreach Officer
Mobile: +386 49 568 977    sarah.crozier@eomkosovo.eu