OSCE PA Security Committee Chair addresses OSCE conference in Malta

COPENHAGEN, 12 September 2013 – Makis Voridis, Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Political Affairs and Security, today addressed the Regional Conference on the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security for the Mediterranean Region held in Malta.

Focusing on the conference's relevance to him both as a Greek parliamentarian and as chair of the PA's security committee, Voridis spoke about the rapid evolution of the Mediterranean region and the benefits that increased co-operation will bring to mutual security. He underlined the importance that parliamentarians, and in particular members of the OSCE PA, attach to democratic oversight of armed forces and of the implementation of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security.

"In the OSCE PA, we have repeatedly stressed the need for increased transparency and democratic oversight," Voridis said. "This position is reiterated in the Code of Conduct, which was agreed upon by all member states in Budapest in 1994."

Voridis spoke about the crucial role that national parliaments can play in determining tasks and missions of armed forces.

"Parliamentarians can and should act as a safeguard to avoid the misuse of armed forces and to exercise democratic scrutiny over the military," he said. "In a democracy, no area of politics, including international organizations, can be a 'No-Go,' for parliamentarians. It is for this reason that the OSCE PA needs to remain relevant within the OSCE: we must push for continued parliamentarian oversight of issues related to security and defence."

The OSCE, Voridis said, with the valuable contribution of the Mediterranean partners, is an ideal forum for sharing ideas and building confidence within the region. He pointed to the engagement with the region by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, noting that the 2012 Annual Session was held in Monaco and that the upcoming Autumn Meeting is being held in Budva, Montenegro.

The objectives of the Regional Conference on the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security for the Mediterranean Region, organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, are to raise awareness and to present the countries of the Mediterranean region with the Code of Conduct as a key normative document for security sector governance.

The conference is directed to the countries of the Mediterranean region, in particular to the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia) and the OSCE participating States bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Voridis' full speech is available here.

This is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.