News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
PA presents Call for Action at Ministerial Council side event, urging a reaffirmation of OSCE’s purpose and raising its visibility
Publishing date: 3 December 2020
COPENHAGEN, 3 December 2020 – In an event featuring participation by more than 100 parliamentarians and diplomats, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today presented its initiative entitled “OSCE Call for Action: Reaffirming a Common Purpose” on the sidelines of the 27th Ministerial Council...
Greater political support needed to strengthen OSCE and meet current challenges, PA President says at Ministerial Council opening
Publishing date: 3 December 2020
COPENHAGEN, 3 December 2020 – Thirty years after the signing of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, despite the OSCE’s notable contributions to strengthening security and promoting stability, the level of distrust is probably higher than it has ever been since the fall of the Iron Curtain, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli said at the opening of the 27th Ministerial Council today. To counter this trend, the PA President urged the Foreign Ministers to increase the level of political interest in the organization and focus on implementation of OSCE commitments...
Time “to turn the corner” and emerge from the crisis in co-operation, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama at opening of Tirana Ministerial Council
Publishing date: 3 December 2020
TIRANA/VIENNA, 3 December 2020 – It’s time to “turn the corner” and overcome the current crisis in co-operation, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, in his opening statement to over 50 foreign ministers and senior diplomats gathered in Tirana and online for the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council...
We must reinvigorate the OSCE in these challenging times, Parliamentary Assembly President Tsereteli says at Permanent Council
Publishing date: 26 November 2020
COPENHAGEN, 26 November 2020 – One week before the Ministerial Council, the OSCE’s central decision-making body, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli addressed ambassadors at today’s Permanent Council meeting in Vienna. Noting that it has now been 30 years since governments came together to adopt the Charter of Paris for a New Europe and promote relations founded on respect and co-operation, he stressed that the OSCE must reach its potential to help build a safer and more stable future...
Parliamentarians celebrate Paris Charter’s 30th anniversary, recall OSCE’s successes and urge renewed commitment to principles
Publishing date: 20 November 2020
COPENHAGEN, 20 November 2020 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the French Delegation to the OSCE PA held a web-based roundtable today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, which was adopted during the second Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe, held in Paris from 19 to 21 November 1990...
Political actors in Georgia should resolve deadlock and participate in the work of the new parliament, OSCE PA leaders say
Publishing date: 17 November 2020
COPENHAGEN, 17 November 2020 – Amidst demands by the opposition for repeat parliamentary elections in Georgia and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the South Caucasus country today, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s political and security Chair and the leaders of the OSCE’s recent election observation mission reiterated that political deadlock must be overcome in order to ensure that the voters’ will is respected...
Escalating police violence in Belarus unacceptable, says OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, urging investigations
Publishing date: 16 November 2020
COPENHAGEN, 16 November 2020 – With widespread protests ongoing in Belarus for more than 100 days, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli reacted today to increasing reports of excessive and disproportionate force by law enforcement. Police have reportedly used flash grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas, the President noted, and more than 1,200 people were detained on Sunday after demonstrations commemorating the death of protester Raman Bandarenka, a 31-year old activist who died in a hospital last week after reportedly being beaten by security forces...