Photo courtesy of the House of Representatives
MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is designed to be an objective forum for equal, candid and inclusive dialogue, Chairman of the Standing Committee on International Affairs of the House of Representatives Sergei Rachkov said at a joint meeting of the three general committees of the 24th Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus sees the following challenges and tasks as a priority line of work for our organization. First, we need to stop the ascent on the escalation ladder. Second, we should restore trust and commitment to the spirit of Helsinki, especially in the current anniversary year. And third, we need to save the OSCE from disintegration. After all, the institutional crisis where our organization is stuck is a consequence of a total lack of trust and the disregard of a number of 'privileged' countries for the opinions of others,” said Sergei Rachkov.
Ultimatums will definitely not work, the parliamentarian noted. “For starters, we need to re-commit ourselves to the principle of indivisibility of security, which is enshrined in the UN Charter and the fundamental documents of the OSCE. Unfortunately, this principle is failing in the OSCE area. This has led to catastrophic consequences. Ukraine and its people have become bargaining chips in the big game of superpowers who seek to maintain global hegemony. From the very beginning Belarus has been pushing for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis through negotiations and it has made practical steps to achieve this. We are still ready to do everything in our power for peace and security in the region. And, of course, any agreements that are reached in this regard must also include security guarantees for Belarus,” Sergei Rachkov said.
“The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is meant to be an objective forum for equal, open and inclusive dialogue and cooperation. This dialogue is taking on new significance amidst the ongoing aggravation of geopolitical confrontation. Approaches that deprive full members of the Assembly of the opportunity to present their views undermine the international authority and foundations of our organization. I mean the ban for Belarusian delegations to participate in the sessions in Bucharest and Dublin. In this regard, the delegation of Belarus once again calls on you, esteemed Madam President [Pia Kauma], to use your authority as the head of the Assembly that has equal obligations to all its members without exception, to ensure genuine, not declarative, inclusiveness in the Assembly,” Sergei Rachkov said.
The delegation of the National Assembly of Belarus to the OSCE PA headed by Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives Sergei Rachkov is taking part in the 24th Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna, Austria on 20-21 February. The program of the event includes sessions of the Standing Committee of the OSCE PA and three general committees on Political Affairs and Security, on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, as well as joint meetings of the above committees. Members of the Belarusian delegation are scheduled to make speeches on the agenda of the OSCE PA Winter Meeting, and to hold meetings with MPs of the OSCE participating states.
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