Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 1 March (BelTA) – The 26th PA OSCE summer session in Minsk will help us strengthen the role of Belarus in international politics and security, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said when speaking at the first meeting of the organizing committee for the session in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

According to the Speaker, Belarus will host such a large-scale event for the first time, so there is much work to do. “This will help us increase the role of Belarus in matters of international politics and security, develop political dialogue with parliamentarians from other states. This will open new opportunities for advancing the national interests and expanding trade and economic cooperation,” Vladimir Andreichenko believes.

Since 2003, Belarus’ National Assembly has been taking an active part in the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Many Belarus-sponsored resolutions have been adopted. The Speaker said he is confident that the forthcoming session, which will be attended by about 700 delegates from 57 countries (Europe, Canada and the United States) will also be fruitful.

According to Vladimir Andreichenko, the House of Representatives has already carried out some preparations related to financial issues. Preliminary estimates were calculated in conjunction with the President’s Property Management Directorate and the Finance Ministry. The theme of the session has been developed together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was endorsed by the Parliamentary Assembly leadership. The logo and draft program have been developed as well. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is set to meet with the OSCE PA senior officials on 5 July 2017 and deliver a welcoming address to the participants of the session.

Vladimir Andreichenko noted that the economic, investment and tourism potential of Belarus was presented at the OSCE PA Winter Meeting in Vienna on 23 and 24 February. Foreign MPs were invited to learn more about Belarus’ flagship manufacturing companies. The program and theme of the annual session in Minsk will be finalized during the visit of OSCE PA President Christine Muttonen to Belarus scheduled for 15-17 March. The highlight of the visit will be the signing of the agreement between the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on the organization of the 26th OSCE PA Annual Session in Minsk.

The organizing committee will take care of a number of issues in the run-up to the session. For instance, they will upgrade the key venues to meet the OSCE PA requirements. The major gathering of MPs of the OSCE member states will be hosted by several venues, including the administrative center located at 14 Pobeditelei Avenue and The President Hotel. The administrative center will play host to the first plenary meeting on 5 July. Vladimir Andreichenko gave instructions to develop a concept for the interior decoration of the hall, and address several other issues. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in six official languages of the OSCE: English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

The 26th OSCE PA Annual Session will be held in Minsk from 5 to 9 July. It will discuss ways for strengthening mutual trust and cooperation for the sake of peace and wellbeing in the OSCE zone. Nearly 700 guests are expected to attend the session. 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. Plans have also been made to hold a plenary session and official receptions. Besides, the foreign guests will be offered a program of cultural events. For instance, they will visit the State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, Mir and Nesvizh.

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.