30 June 2009, 10:18
Oleh Bilorus, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, heads the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation.
The XVIII Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is dedicated to the topic "Counteraction to the New Challenges in the Sector of Security". The Parliament members from 56 States members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, representatives of associated countries and international organizations take part in the session.
V.Adamkus, President of the Lithuanian Republic, A. Valinskas, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, and A. Kubilius, Prime Minister of Lithuania delivered welcoming addresses.
V.Adamkus called on the member-countries with a request to observe the fundamental principles of the OSCE in order to preserve and strengthen security and stability in the region. "Security and democracy are inseparable. Lithuania assists and will further assist the Black Sea countries in the restoration and strengthening of the democracy", - stated V.Adamkus.
The XVIII Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will traditionally be held in the form of general plenary meetings and within the scope of three committees: on political issues and security; on economic matters, science, technology and environment; and on democracy, human rights and humanitarian issues.
The participants of the Session are to discuss a number of urgent issues of international cooperation in the OSCE region.
Ukrainian delegation submitted a Draft Resolution "The Role of the OSCE in the Strengthening of the Regional Security".
Due to the results of debates at the XVIII Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Vilnius Declaration will be adopted.