In Washington, OSCE PA President underlines U.S. role in preserving European stability
George Tsereteli, Mike Pompeo and Ilir Meta in Washington on 7 February 2019WASHINGTON, 8 February 2019 – OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) and Secretary General Roberto Montella have participated in forums and a series of meetings in Washington, DC, this week, holding discussions with members of the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE PA, Helsinki Commission members, as well as officials from the State Department.
On Tuesday, Tsereteli addressed a seminar held at the U.S. Senate on the challenges facing South East Europe and Russia’s role in the region. Organized by the Senate Armed Services Committee and chaired by Senator James Inhofe, the event was promoted by Fatmir Mediu (Albania) and attended by several OSCE PA Members including Robert Aderholt (United States), Speaker of Montenegro’s Parliament and Head of Delegation Ivan Brajovic, and Head of Delegation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Vladimir Gjorcev. Albanian President Ilir Meta also participated.
Challenges posed by radicalization and minors returning from conflict zones focus of OSCE PA visit to France
Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism Chair Makis Voridis addresses committee members, Paris, 7 February 2019PARIS, 8 February 2019 – An OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation is wrapping up a visit to Paris, France, where it has met the past two days with a range of government officials and experts for discussions on the French experience with terrorism and the policy implications of minors returning from foreign conflict zones.
Commending France’s counter-terrorism work, the OSCE parliamentarians – members of the PA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism (CCT) – noted the exceptional challenges involved with preventing radicalization and de-radicalizing youth who have been engaged in active conflicts.
“In addressing these challenges, a truly comprehensive approach is needed,” Greek parliamentarian and Chair of the CCT Makis Voridis said. “As the French experience has shown, it is paramount to invest in law enforcement and develop effective security measures while at the same time promoting inclusive education and specialized social services to counter the spread of violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism.”
No alternative to good-faith Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, OSCE PA’s Pritchard says in field visit
Mark Pritchard and Ramush Haradinaj in Pristina, 31 Jan. 2019PRISTINA, 1 February 2019 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly encourages all channels of dialogue, including parliamentary diplomacy, as a means to support and improve reconciliation and co-operation in the South East European region, British parliamentarian Mark Pritchard emphasized today in a visit to Pristina, Mitrovica and Gracanica.
Pritchard, who serves as the PA’s Special Representative on South East Europe, has met over the past two days with leaders including Ramush Haradinaj, members of parliament and religious figures, as well as representatives of the OSCE’s Mission in Kosovo.
In meetings, Pritchard has conveyed full support to the European Union-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, while reiterating the OSCE PA’s status-neutral approach. He has followed recent discussions regarding proposed border changes, the taxes issue and the transformation of the security forces, Pritchard said.
Digitalization’s impact on security in focus during OSCE PA’s economic and environmental committee visit to Vienna
Nilza de Sena and Elona Gjebrea Hoxha in Vienna, 29 January 2019VIENNA, 29 January 2019 – The rapid digitalization process taking place across the OSCE area is generating substantial changes in all spheres of life and carries many security implications, including in the economic and environmental dimension, the Parliamentary Assembly’s Nilza de Sena and Elona Gjebrea-Hoxha said today in Vienna.
National parliaments must keep abreast of developments in this field and respond appropriately with relevant legislation, de Sena said in an address to the First Preparatory Meeting of the 27th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF). She highlighted that human beings should remain at the center of the digitalization process and drew attention to the sharp increase of energy consumption and digitalization’s impacts on the labour market. Moreover, de Sena stressed that legal protection of personal data must be duly addressed.