A Ukrainian parliamentary delegation is currently taking part in the XXVII Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Germany
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is meeting in Berlin for its 27th
Annual Session on 7-11 July 2018. The meeting includes the participation of
some 300 parliamentarians from North America, Europe and Asia.
The delegation from Ukraine consists of the following MPs: A.Herasimov (chief delegate), O.Bielkova, S.Vysotskyi, V.Vovk, A.Herashchenko, T.Ostrikova, R.Chubarov and N.Shufrych.
The theme of this year’s Annual Session is “Implementing OSCE Commitments: The Role of Parliaments.” All meetings are being held at the Reichstag Building (seat of the German Bundestag).
The Annual Session will culminate in the adoption of the Berlin Declaration with recommendations to national governments, parliaments and the international community in the fields of political affairs, security, economics, environment and human rights.
A set of complimentary speeches at the opening ceremony was delivered by OSCE PA President George Tsereteli, President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schauble and other high ranking officials.
George Tsereteli, the OSCE PA President, said in his address that protracted conflicts continued to plague the OSCE area, and the crisis in and around Ukraine proceeded to claim lives and threatened the stability of Europe. The clash should be broken up through a strong and constructive dialogue that would contribute in a real way to resolving this crisis in accordance with international law and respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
This August will mark ten
years since the 2008 war in Georgia and unfortunately the problem is still
there. The conflict between Russia and Georgia remains unresolved.
It was also stressed that everyone in the OSCE should understand that if they violate principles, they would receive much attention, and of course, response. “After all, that is what we all are here to do – to hold each other to account,” stated the politician. He also told how he had travelled to Moldova to welcome achievements in the Transdniestrian settlement process. Chisinau and Tiraspol are in fact setting a positive example for the rest of the OSCE area. The local ownership and political courage that have led to real advances in the settlement process demonstrate that dialogue and persistence are the way forward.
The President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schauble underscored that despite the differences which existed, the mutual blockades, the unresolved permanent conflicts, a multilateral organization such as the OSCE was absolutely essential, today even more than ever. The dense network of established processes, well-developed institutions, proven discussion forums; the on-site presence of independent observer missions recognized by all parties; the unique experience in crisis and conflict management - and the military escalation in Ukraine made this more than clear.
Other top-echelon officials highlighted that in today’s Europe we all had been in at the illegal efforts to break the actual borders by force that posed hazard to the entire continent, with the Crimean annexation within the context. They also said that the Normandy format of the negotiations in which Germany also participated, was utterly important for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and urged to make every effort to eliminate frozen conflicts in Europe.
With some 290 parliamentarians expected to participate, the Annual Session is the largest event on the Assembly’s calendar. It will culminate in the adoption of the Berlin Declaration, which will help shape policies of national governments, parliaments and the international community in the fields of political affairs, security, economics, environment and human rights.
High on the agenda are issues such as counter-terrorism, climate change, migration, and access to education. Debates are expected in particular on the crisis in and around Ukraine, rising populism in Europe, protracted conflicts, the environmental impacts of war, and rebuilding trust in the OSCE area. In addition to the three primary resolutions to be presented by committee rapporteurs, a number of supplementary items are on the agenda, dealing with topics such as:
- human rights in Crimea,
- building communities free of human trafficking,
- combating gender-based violence,
- building an effective protection framework for migrant children,
- security sector governance and reform.
OSCE PA members will also debate resolutions marking ten years since the August 2008 war in Georgia and how to strengthen the visibility of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly within national parliaments.
After the amendment process and their adoption by the general committees, resolutions will be voted on by the full Assembly on the final day of the Annual Session on 11 July for inclusion in the OSCE PA’s Berlin Declaration, which will be presented to foreign ministers and speakers of parliament of the OSCE’s 57 countries.
Participants will also hold elections for the OSCE PA’s Bureau, including for President of the Assembly and Vice-Presidents.
At the plenary sessions on 10 and 11 July, expected speakers include OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues Hedy Fry (MP, Canada), Treasurer Doris Barnett (MP, Germany), and Secretary General Roberto Montella.
Particular attention will be paid to the continued aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, violations of the human rights in the temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, the deterioration of the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.
During the session, the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation plans to introduce a draft resolution on long lasting violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine).
You may keep a watch on what's happening in the session at the OSCEPA’s official site:
http://www.oscepa.org/meetings/annual-sessions/2018-berlin-annual-session