Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly appreciates Belarus’ readiness to host the 26^th summer session. OSCE PA President Christine Muttonen made the statement as she met with Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko on 15 March, BelTA has learned.

In particular, Christine Muttonen noted that it was her first visit to Belarus but she was already looking forward to a new meeting in July because the annual summer session is the key event in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. During such sessions top officials of the Assembly are elected, declarations and resolutions are adopted. In her words, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly appreciates the readiness of the Belarusian side to host the session in Minsk in 2017. The guest also pointed out that the Belarusian delegation had always been one of the most active delegations in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. “We appreciate your involvement in our operation,” she stressed.

Christine Muttonen said: “About 700 guests will come to Belarus, including over 300 MPs. We look forward to a lively discussion about all the matters of interest at the international level.” She went on saying that she appreciates a lot the readiness of the Belarusian leadership to partake in the forthcoming discussion.

Christine Muttonen also pointed out she is the second woman in the last 25 years to hold the position of the OSCE PA president and she is happy about the attitude to women in Belarus. “On my way from the airport I learned that 8 March is a public holiday here. I said I am going to borrow the tradition and take it to Austria with me,” she said.

Christine Muttonen said she was extremely interested in discussing the status of women and their role in reinforcing stability and security. She suggested arranging a special dinner during the annual session in Minsk with this in mind. “We count on your support with organizing the event. In particular, we would like a high-ranking woman to make a speech during the opening ceremony,” she remarked.

The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also offered her thanks for the invitations sent to the OSCE PA to monitor elections in Belarus. “We are ready to render any kind of support and work together with you in order to implement OSCE recommendations regarding the election process,” added the guest.