"Russia will fulfill its commitment and invite an observer mission, but we will set the parameters of their monitoring activities, as far as no other criteria exist which have been approved by consensus," Alexander Grushko told a press conference.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's main election monitoring arm, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), boycotted Russia's parliamentary elections held on December 2, citing visa delays and "unprecedented restrictions." The OSCE subsequently declared the elections "not fair."
Grushko said the OSCE should "not duplicate the Council of Europe, and the ODIHR should turn from a control institution to an assistance institution."
He said the OSCE is still in a crisis, paying more attention to the activities of its mission and election monitoring instead of say the military aspects of its operation.
"We are in favor of reinforcing the OSCE's role in the military sphere," Grushko said.
The deputy foreign minister said the new ODIHR director should be a person trusted by all OSCE members. The current director's term expires in February.
