Main Menu

News from Copenhagen

News from Copenhagen

OSCEPA Contact Information

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Radhusstraede 1
1466 Copenhagen K, DK
Tel: +45-33 37 80 40
Fax: +45-33 37 80 30
E-mail: osce@oscepa.dk
Join us on FacebookFacebook

Run-off confirms that Ukraine’s presidential election meets most international commitments

EO-2010-Standard-UkraineKYIV, 8 February 2010 – Ukraine’s run-off presidential election confirmed the international election observation mission’s assessment that the electoral process met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments.

In a statement issued today, the observers noted that the election consolidated progress achieved since 2004. But they also concluded that the lack of mutual trust between the candidates and the deficient legal framework were at the root of the problems observed and constitute an immediate challenge for the new leadership. The professional, transparent and honest voting and counting should serve as a solid foundation for a peaceful transition of power.

“Yesterday’s vote was an impressive display of democratic elections. For everyone in Ukraine, this election was a victory. It is now time for the country’s political leaders to listen to the people’s verdict and make sure that the transition of power is peaceful and constructive,” said João Soares, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE short-term observers.

 

Ukraine’s presidential election meets most international commitments

EO-2010-Joao_Soares_Press_Conference_UkraineKYIV, 18 January 2010 – The first round of Ukraine’s presidential election was of high quality and showed significant progress over previous elections, meeting most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, concluded the international election observation mission in a statement published today.

The observers noted that the election demonstrated respect for civil and political rights, and offered voters a genuine choice between candidates representing diverse political views. Candidates were able to campaign freely, and the campaign period was generally calm and orderly.

The legal framework remained unclear and incomplete, and was subject of permanent discussion. Nevertheless, the election was generally administered efficiently, and commissions mostly worked in a collegial and non-partisan manner. A pluralistic media offered voters a variety of information about candidates, although electronic media reporting was often influenced by candidates paying for news coverage.

Working Group on Belarus visits Minsk

AD-Belarus-2010-Visit-MinskMINSK, 22 December 2009 -- The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Working Group on Belarus paid a visit to Minsk 20-22 December. The delegation, which included  Pawel Poncyljusz (Poland), Claudio D’Amico (Italy) and OSCE PA Programme Officer Anna Chernova, was led by Cecilia Wigstrom (Sweden).

Members of the Working Group met with the Delegation of Belarus to the OSCE PA, the OSCE Office in Minsk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Central Election Commission, and representatives of civil society and media, as well as a wide range of political forces in Belarus.

In their meetings, Members of the Group noted the active participation of the Belarusian parliamentarians in the OSCE, and encouraged the Belarusian authorities to further dialogue with OSCE institutions, including the Office in Minsk. In meetings with election officials, as well as with parliamentarians, political party representatives and civil society, the Group discussed the new election legislation amendments and follow-up to recommendations made by recent OSCE Election Observation Missions.

Parliamentary Team on Moldova visits Chisinau and Tiraspol

CHISINAU, 20 January 2010 -- The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Parliamentary Team on Moldova paid a visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol 18-20 January 2010. The Delegation, which included Canan Kalsin (Turkey), was led by Walburga Habsburg Douglas (Sweden).

The Delegation met with the Speaker of Parliament and Acting President of Moldova, Mihai Ghimpu, the Prime Minister Vlad Filat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Iurie Leanca, the newly appointed Delegation of Moldova the OSCE PA - which includes a wide range of political forces in the country, other leaders of political parties, negotiators on both sides of the Nistru river, and the international community in Chisinau. The OSCE Parliamentary Team worked closely with the OSCE Mission to Moldova on the visit.  

In their meetings, the Team expressed hope of continued good participation and cooperation with the Parliament of Moldova, and possible opportunities for cooperation with representatives from Chisinau and Tiraspol through the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. In meetings with the Supreme Soviet in Tiraspol, Ms. Habsburg Douglas highlighted the need for legislators to resolve their difference through dialogue.

PA participates in OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Cairo

2009-OSCE-Mediterranean-Conference-CairoA high level delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, appointed by President Joao Soares, participated in the 2009 OSCE Mediterranean Conference held in Cairo  on 14 and 15 December.

Vice-President Isabel Pozuelo, who also heads the Spanish delegation to the PA, led the Assembly’s delegation to the Cairo Conference.  Other members were Riccardo Migliori, Rapporteur of the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security and Head of the Italian delegation to the PA, and Matteo Mecacci, Rapporteur of the Assembly’s General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.