Parliamentarians to vote on diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear programme

COPENHAGEN, 21 June 2012 – The same week that the European Union oil embargo against Iran takes effect parliamentarians from the world’s largest regional security organization, the OSCE, will gather to vote on how to peacefully prevent the nation from becoming a nuclear power.

Akhtar Chaudhry, head of the Norwegian delegation to the OSCE PA, has introduced a resolution calling on the 56 nations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to work for a diplomatic solution to the threat of a nuclear armed Iran.

The resolution to be debated at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Annual Session 5-9 July in Monaco also calls on participating States that possess nuclear weapons to further reduce their arsenals as part of a global effort to enhance nuclear security.

“We can no longer ignore the international security implications presented by a nuclear Iran,” said Chaudhry. “Iran should take the international negotiations seriously, but amid this diplomatic effort we parliamentarians must also send our own signal to existing nuclear nations they must also fulfill their commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Our ultimate goal is a world free from nuclear weapons.”

The resolution underlines the need to hold countries to account when they refuse to uphold their international nuclear non-proliferation obligations and encourages countries to maintain pressure on Iran, but Chaudhry’s measure also calls for states to refrain from using military means to respond to the apparent threat of Iran’s nuclear programme. See the full text of the resolution here.

Iran shares 2,450 km of borders with OSCE participating States Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. The country has maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

The resolution is co-sponsored by 49 parliamentarians from 17 different countries.

Parliamentarians from 56 participating OSCE countries will vote on the resolution and declaration in Monaco. Resolutions adopted at the Annual Session along with the Monaco Declaration help to shape OSCE and national policy. The Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public.

Media Contact:  Neil Simon, OSCE PA, neil@oscepa.dk, +45 60 10 83 80 mobile

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 320 parliamentarians from 55 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.