BELGRADE - Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary-General Lamberto Zannier has urged Serbs to take part in the June 8 legislative elections in Kosovo-Metohija.

In a statement to reporters on Saturday, Zannier said that he has always been convinced that progress on the Kosovo issue requires participation in elections.

Zannier was in Belgrade to attend a conference titled European Tragedy of 1914 and the Multipolar World of 2014: Lessons Learned, organised by the Centre for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD).

He said that preparations for the elections are progressing well, and that everything seems to be ready for holding fair and free elections.

I would encourage the Serbs to participate in the elections, Zannier said.

The OSCE is maintaining contact with all communities in Kosovo, and its mission is aware of specific issues that exist, but they will be addressed, he said.

There has been visible progress in Kosovo over the past months, and that is how things should continue, Zannier said.