BISHKEK, 3 October 2018 – In addressing challenges such as migration, trade, terrorism, border security and the environment, closer collaboration is needed within the OSCE and with international partners, said participants at the opening of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 17th Autumn Meeting, taking place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 3-6 October. Parliaments play a key role in this regard in facilitating dialogue and generating political will for implementing international commitments, speakers said.

George Tsereteli opens the Autumn Meeting in Bishkek 3 October 2018Speakers at the opening session today included President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov, Speaker of Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic Dastanbek Dzhumabekov, and OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (Georgia).

The meeting, attended by some 300 delegates including 160 OSCE parliamentarians, as well as the heads of OSCE field operations in Central Asia and a representative of the Chairmanship of the OSCE Contact Group with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, is hosted by the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In his opening speech, President Tsereteli noted that a deterioration of trust in the OSCE has threatened the functioning of the organization, eroded dialogue, entrenched existing conflicts, and left unfulfilled the agreements that could bring an end to human suffering in conflict zones such as Ukraine or Georgia.

“This absence of political will has not only hamstrung our Organization’s mediation capabilities,” Tsereteli said. “It has also made it more and more difficult for us to address other possible problems that loom on the horizon. Our citizens, the people we serve, expect and deserve better.”

He pointed out that parliamentarians, along with civil society, have a key role to generate political will in support of the implementation of OSCE commitments. “We will continue to find new ways to draw on your expertise and work in a more inclusive manner in order to maximize our impact,” he said.

In his remarks, President Jeenbekov noted that Kyrgyzstan has greatly benefited from its co-operation with the OSCE, particularly in the development of its electoral system. He stressed that Kyrgyzstan continues to modernize its economy and implement political and judicial reforms, as well as reforms in law enforcement. The President noted that Kyrgyzstan considers sustainable development as part of a wider regional development strategy and said that there is no alternative to co-operation and dialogue.

President Jeenbekov also highlighted challenges to stability and security such as violent extremism and terrorism. He noted the importance of uniting against this common threat and stressed the unique ability of the OSCE to promote mutually agreed upon action.

Speaker Dzhumabekov said that Kyrgyzstan has experienced various challenges, but said that it is firmly on the path of parliamentary democracy. He thanked international partners for contributing to democratic development and noted that the Jogorku Kenesh is the center of decision-making in the country, stressing that its goals of sustainable development are enhanced by legislative action.

The main goal, he said, is to improve the quality of life of the citizens, noting the importance of respecting international commitments. The Speaker lauded the United Nations’ founding and the OSCE’s creation as an effort to promote international security in the widest sense and called for a new commitment to global peace. He noted that the stability of Central Asia is key to the security of the whole OSCE region.

The 2018 Autumn Meeting features a Parliamentary Conference which starts tomorrow on the theme of “Promoting Security Dialogue in Central Asia and Beyond.” The Mediterranean Forum also takes place tomorrow on “Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Mediterranean: Addressing Migration, Trade and Environmental Challenges.” The OSCE PA’s Standing Committee of heads of national delegations meets Friday.

Photos from the meeting are on Flickr. For President Tsereteli’s full remarks, please click here.