OSCE PA President Christine Muttonen and Secretary General Roberto MontellaCOPENHAGEN, 20 December 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s President and Secretary General, Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) and Roberto Montella, respectively, today issued the following statement on the assassination of Andrey Karlov, the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, in Ankara on Monday:

“The fatal shooting of Ambassador Karlov was not only an unfounded attack upon a respected Russian diplomat, but an assault on diplomacy itself, contrary to longstanding principles of international law. We urge a prompt and thorough investigation into this incident and stress the importance of recommitting to international diplomacy and dialogue.”

Muttonen and Montella reiterated the statement issued Monday by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Frank-Walter Steinmeier and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, calling the attack unjustifiable and extending condolences to the family and friends of the victim.