OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Standing Committee issues declaration on the fight against terrorism

COPENHAGEN, 10 October 2001 (OSCE) - During a meeting in Sintra, Portugal on 9 October, OSCE parliamentary leaders adopted a declaration entitled "Security through Solidarity", expressing outrage over the criminal and unjustifiable terrorist attacks that took place in the United States of America on 11 September.

The declaration, adopted by the Standing Committee of the Heads of parliamentary delegations from the 55 OSCE participating States, asserts that terrorism, in any of its forms and manifestations is today one of the greatest threats to security and co-operation in the OSCE area, and that the recent tragic events demonstrate the need for increased co-operation between the international organizations dealing with security matters.

The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Adrian Severin, MP (Romania) stated that: "As an international organization dealing with security matters, the OSCE is ideally placed to develop common strategies addressing the political, economic, social and cultural root causes of terrorism. In this connection the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly strongly supports efforts undertaken by the OSCE Chairmanship to develop an OSCE-wide plan of action for the fight against terrorism."

The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, who addressed the Standing Committee meeting, also emphasized that "The OSCE has undoubtedly an important role to play in the fight against terrorism, contributing also to put it on a firm multilateral basis." He emphasized organizational transparency as an essential factor in enhancing the credibility of the OSCE. "I can assure you that we will pay due attention to this aspect and that we will do our best to ensure comprehensive and inclusive consultation processes in the OSCE. I know that you also follow this matter since you have decided to set up a special ad-hoc committee."

Mr. Gama, who will take over the OSCE Chairmanship next year, further outlined better co-ordination of the activities of OSCE Bodies and Institutions as well as increasing public awareness of OSCE activities as being other key priorities of the upcoming Portuguese Chairmanship.

In Sintra, the Standing Committee also adopted a Resolution on further enhancing the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE, calling upon all OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegations to initiate in their respective parliaments debates on further enhancing co-operation between the parliamentary and governmental branches of the OSCE.