Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković met with the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Jan Braathu, with whom she discussed respect for diversity and the importance of equality as the foundation of any democratic society, as well as mutual long standing, fruitful and continuous cooperation.

Extending her best wishes to the ambassador on his appointment, Commissioner Janković stressed the importance of OSCE support and emphasized institution’s activities in the field of protection and promotion of equality, including numerous trainings and seminars, regional cooperation of Southeast European equality bodies, and Annual Media Award for Tolerance.

The Head of the OSCE Mission expressed his full support to the Commissioner’s further work and emphasized the great contribution and role of the institution dedicated to strengthening human rights, the rule of law and the further development of a democratic and tolerant society. Ambassador Braathu pointed out that he would support the continuation of constructive and partnership-based cooperation with the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, stating that in the forthcoming period this cooperation would be intensified to mutual satisfaction.

The Commissioner and the Head of the OSCE Mission agreed on the need to further strengthen the capacity of the institution, and during the meeting upcoming activities and joint projects aimed at promoting equality in various fields were discussed.