Radojevic meets OSCE delegation: Respect for local self-government powers and protection of all citizens’ rights essential for stability

North Mitrovica Mayor Milan Radojevic and Deputy Mayor Adrijana Hodzic met today with an OSCE delegation. Radojevic briefed the OSCE representatives on the institutional pressures facing the Municipality of North Mitrovica, pointing to direct interference by the central authorities in the work of local self-government and restrictions on its powers.

According to a statement from the Office of the Mayor of North Mitrovica, Radojevic stressed that such actions directly affected the functioning of municipal institutions, as well as the everyday lives of citizens, whose interests and rights must be at the heart of the work of all institutions.

He particularly emphasized that the position of the Serbian population, as well as members of other communities, was significantly more difficult today than in the past, further highlighting the need for a stronger and more visible presence of the international community and its more active engagement in addressing the existing problems.

The Mayor said that respect for the powers of local self-government, protection of the rights of all citizens and ensuring conditions for a peaceful and dignified life for all communities were essential for preserving stability and building trust.

“During the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to continue communication and strengthen cooperation in the coming period, with the aim of improving the work of local self-government and creating better living conditions for all citizens of North Mitrovica,” the statement said.

The OSCE delegation included High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp, Head of Section and Senior Adviser to the High Commissioner on National Minorities Charles Lonsdale, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Gerard McGurk, and Director of the Regional Centre in Mitrovica Nikolaos Kavalaris Ladis.