Presidential statement on situation in Turkey
Grossruck calls for respect of peaceful expression, proportionate response to violence
COPENHAGEN, 19 June 2013 -- OSCE PA President Wolfgang Grossruck today released the following statement regarding the situation in Turkey, which is scheduled to host the Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly beginning 29 June in Istanbul.
"Like our colleagues around the world, we have been monitoring with great concern the ongoing events throughout Turkey. The Parliamentary Assembly has a unique interest in these affairs as our membership will gather in Istanbul next week for our Annual Session.
Resolution urges countries to join Convention on Cybercrime
COPENHAGEN, 19 June 2013 (FRE | RUS | TR) – Cyber attacks should be viewed as equal to conventional acts of aggression according to a resolution now pending at the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, the world's largest regional security organization.
The resolution is up for a vote at the Assembly's Annual Session in Istanbul starting 29 June. The debate follows a decision earlier this month by NATO to have a fully operational
cyber defense capability in place by October.
Economic, environmental resolution tackles austerity, greenhouse gases
COPENHAGEN, 18 June 2013 (FRE | RUS | TR)—In the largest gathering of international parliamentarians before this year's COP19 climate conference, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will consider a resolution calling for binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions and new fees to make short-term stock speculation more expensive.
The resolution as drafted looks to reverse Europe's austerity measures, saying that spending cuts have "not had the anticipated positive impact on the overall economic recovery."
At OSCE Security Days, PA First Committee Rapporteur highlights parliamentary diplomacy
Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene (second from right) addresses the OSCE Security Days event on 17 June 2013. (Marc Carillet/OSCE PA)VIENNA, 17 June 2013 – Speaking at the OSCE Security Days event in Vienna today, Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene (MP, Lithuania), Rapporteur of the OSCE PA's Committee on Political Affairs and Security, highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in contributing to the process of building a security community.
"Through our work in the OSCE PA, parliamentary diplomacy contributes fresh ideas, new insights, and provides a crucial link to the electorate and civil society," she said.
Azerbaijani MP proposes vote on greater role for civil society
COPENHAGEN, 17 June 2013 (RUS | FRE | TR) – A parliamentarian from Azerbaijan has called for OSCE countries to show more openness and greater engagement with civil society in a resolution now pending before the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
"Civil society always brings added value to the debate," said Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan), author of the resolution. "Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should not only be observers but active voices included in the decision-making process."