26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk

MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) Christine Muttonen hopes that bridges of trust will be restored during the 26^th annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk. Christine Muttonen made the relevant statement during the session’s opening ceremony on 5 July, BelTA has learned.

Christine Muttonen said: “Here, in Minsk we are going to restore bridges of trust, the spirit of cooperation, and renew ties.” She said she was confident that working to invigorate and bolster trust and cooperation between OSCE member states is the only way forward. The OSCE PA president said she hopes that the Minsk session will contribute to the establishment of peace and prosperity.

Christine Muttonen went on saying that Belarus occupies a special place in Europe — from the geographical and political points of view. The Belarusian delegation to the OSCE PA works hard, particularly in matters relating to economy and environmental protection, she reminded.

Christine Muttonen thanked the Belarusian side for the excellent organization of the session and the warm welcome.

The OSCE PA summer session is scheduled to take place in Minsk on 5-9 July and is dedicated to enhancing mutual trust and cooperation in the name of peace and prosperity in the region. The agenda of the session comprises reports of three general committees: on political affairs and security; on economic affairs, science, technology, and environment; on democracy, human rights, and humanitarian affairs.

Resolutions to be adopted as a result of the discussions will become the foundation of the Minsk declaration, which will formulate recommendations for national governments, parliaments, and the international community on responding to pressing challenges and threats. The declaration will also include several additional resolutions, which are initiated by individual parliamentarians. The resolutions target quite a large number of matters, including counterterrorism, migration challenges, prevention of interfaith enmity, stronger energy security and many other things.

Belarus has prepared a resolution of its own for consideration during the session. The resolution focuses on developing timely and effective legislative, regulatory, and administrative measures to respond to the emergence of new psychoactive substances. Belarus has also co-authored several resolutions prepared by foreign colleagues. Those are, for instance, resolutions on fighting terrorism (Russia), problems of intolerance and discrimination on religious grounds (Russia), prevention of sexual exploitation of children online (USA), democratic development of multiculturalism values (Azerbaijan).