OSCE Parliamentary Assembly gathered in Belgrade
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly gathered in Belgrade
Speaking at the opening session Ažubalis also underlined the important role Parliamentarians have in helping their countries fulfill their OSCE commitments. He welcomed recent positive steps by the host country, Serbia, to improve co-operation in its region.
The OSCE will continue these efforts, including confidence-building measures to reduce tensions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and contribute to positive results, he said.
“The Geneva Discussions move slowly, but efforts to introduce and implement confidence-building measures are contributing positive results. The communication must continue,” Ažubalis said, referring to the talks co-chaired by the OSCE, the UN and the EU with the goal of resolving the situation after the August 2008 conflict in Georgia.
Ažubalis called on the parties in the 5+2 talks that aim to resolve the Transdniestrian conflict to “consolidate efforts and make sincere efforts. If this is done, I am convinced that the Transdniestrian problem has good chances for a solution.”
Zannier called for strengthened co-operation
The new OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, also speaking at the meeting, said he would work to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the Secretariat, provide strong support to the Chairmanship and make the executive structures more responsive to the needs of the OSCE participating States.
He also called for strengthened co-operation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in addressing high-priority challenges in the OSCE area and beyond.
“There is much scope for co-operation in addressing challenges that originate beyond the OSCE area, such as our efforts to confront transnational threats and to deepen the OSCE’s engagement with Afghanistan," Zannier said. "Parliamentarians can play a crucial role in the OSCE’s efforts to support ongoing democratic transition processes in the Southern Mediterranean.".
The theme of the 20th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly is strengthening the OSCE’s Effectiveness and Efficiency – A new start after the Astana Summit.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 320 parliamentarians from 55 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.
The OSCE will continue these efforts, including confidence-building measures to reduce tensions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and contribute to positive results, he said.
“The Geneva Discussions move slowly, but efforts to introduce and implement confidence-building measures are contributing positive results. The communication must continue,” Ažubalis said, referring to the talks co-chaired by the OSCE, the UN and the EU with the goal of resolving the situation after the August 2008 conflict in Georgia.
Ažubalis called on the parties in the 5+2 talks that aim to resolve the Transdniestrian conflict to “consolidate efforts and make sincere efforts. If this is done, I am convinced that the Transdniestrian problem has good chances for a solution.”
Zannier called for strengthened co-operation
The new OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, also speaking at the meeting, said he would work to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the Secretariat, provide strong support to the Chairmanship and make the executive structures more responsive to the needs of the OSCE participating States.
He also called for strengthened co-operation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in addressing high-priority challenges in the OSCE area and beyond.
“There is much scope for co-operation in addressing challenges that originate beyond the OSCE area, such as our efforts to confront transnational threats and to deepen the OSCE’s engagement with Afghanistan," Zannier said. "Parliamentarians can play a crucial role in the OSCE’s efforts to support ongoing democratic transition processes in the Southern Mediterranean.".
The theme of the 20th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly is strengthening the OSCE’s Effectiveness and Efficiency – A new start after the Astana Summit.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 320 parliamentarians from 55 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.
