OSCE PA President Soares: 2009 a year of great challenges

COPENHAGEN, 29 January 2009 - This year is one of great challenges, particularly when it comes to the protracted conflicts, said the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA), Joao Soares of Portugal, in a new interview published on the OSCE PA website.

"It is very important that both the governmental and parliamentary sides of the OSCE are ready to meet the challenges we face. As experienced parliamentarians, we have the power to influence the governmental side. And, of course, we can be on the frontline of the political discussions," he said.

Soares, outlining his priorities for the coming year and the role of the Parliamentary Assembly in addressing these challenges, added: "We will consider new initiatives at the parliamentary level in the Caucasus after the Special Envoy to the Caucasus, Swedish Parliamentarian and OSCE PA President Emeritus Goran Lennmarker, has visited the region next month."

He said that the Parliamentary Assembly is also paying close attention to the Transdniestrian conflict and that he will visit Chisinau and Tiraspol during the second week of February for talks with all political sides in that region.

In the wide-ranging interview, Soares also discussed his hopes for the Greek chairmanship of the OSCE, the recent Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, the crisis in Georgia, as well as the proposals for a new European security architecture.

"I see clearly that the OSCE should be in the centre of the discussion about a new security architecture and that is it the appropriate forum for this discussion," he said.

Soares said he had great expectations of the Greek OSCE Chairmanship because "they have very experienced politicians who are ambitious and energetic, and I think they will make a positive contribution to our Organization. I hope to improve the role of the Parliamentary Assembly at all levels."

He also reiterated previous calls by the OSCE PA for OSCE reforms and urged caution against getting caught up in internal bureaucratic debates instead of looking outward.

For the entire interview and a video clip, please visit the OSCE PA web site at: www.oscepa.org