Events

Minsk will host the summer session from 5 to 9 July. The event will focus on the ways of strengthening mutual trust and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region. It is expected that the Belarusian capital will host approximately 700 participants. The session is expected to be eventful. It will include meetings of the OSCE PA Standing Committee and the three General Committees of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: on Political Affairs and Security; on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment; on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. The events will be hosted by several venues, including the administrative center located at 14 Pobeditelei Avenue and The President Hotel.

The visit of the OSCE PA delegation to Belarus is a significant step towards the development of cooperation with this influential international organization, Vladimir Andreichenko told the media after the signing ceremony. He noted the importance of the fact that the proposal to hold the forthcoming session in Minsk came from representatives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and was supported by the participating countries.

The meeting with Christine Muttonen was focused on the key organizational issues which need to be addressed in the near future, he said.

 For her part, Christine Muttonen said that the OSCE PA has always had excellent relations with the Belarusian delegation, and she expects that this will remain so. As for the 26th summer session in Minsk, she expects very interesting discussions and debates involving politicians and MPs. Christine Muttonen also said that the summer meeting will sign a Minsk declaration with recommendations for the participants.

“Recently Minsk has hosted different international negotiations, international events, and we hope that our event will make its contribution,” added the OSCE PA President.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was established in Madrid, Spain in April 1991. It is comprised of 323 MPs from 57 countries. Its major tasks include to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, support democratic institutions in the OSCE participating states, and promote cooperation and security in the region. The annual summer session is the largest event on the OSCE PA calendar that brings together the leadership and officers of the OSCE PA, adopts declarations and resolutions.

The 25th session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was held in Tbilisi, Georgia in early July 2016.