OSCE Permanent Council No. 1506

Vienna, 30 January 2025

EU Statement in Response to the Address by the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Ms Pia Kauma

1. The European Union warmly welcomes Ms Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, back to the Permanent Council.

    

2. Since your address to the Permanent Council last September, Russia has continued to wage its unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, causing unspeakable suffering for the people in Ukraine and negatively impacting the whole OSCE area and beyond. In outlining her priorities to this Council last week, Finnish CiO Foreign Minister Valtonen highlighted support for Ukraine as a central pillar of Finland's Chairpersonship. We strongly support this focus and commend her decision to make Ukraine her first official visit as CiO on 8 January.

    

3. The EU welcomes the work of the Parliamentary Assembly in support of Ukraine, including by establishing the Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine. We look forward to your upcoming visit to Kyiv and the official Bureau meeting in the Verkhovna Rada.

    

4. The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes, for Ukraine to rightfully defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of aggression and win the just and lasting peace it deserves. To this end, we will continue to provide Ukraine with strong comprehensive support.

    

   Madame President,

    

5. Conflicts linger unresolved in our region and appropriate attention should be devoted to them. The EU reiterates its unwavering support and commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia within their internationally recognised borders. The EU reaffirms its support for the sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan and remains fully committed to facilitating efforts to advance a comprehensive, just, sustainable, and lasting peace in the interest of all populations in the South Caucasus.

    

6. More than four years after the fraudulent 2020 presidential election and the appalling human rights crackdown in Belarus, the EU remains in full solidarity with the people of Belarus, who, despite continued repression by the Lukashenka regime, have peacefully and courageously pressed for democratic change, respect for human rights, and the release of all political prisoners. We once again call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and rehabilitate all 1245 political prisoners currently held in Belarus prisons, according to Human Rights Center Viasna. Furthermore, the EU deeply deplores Belarus' decision to invite OSCE/ODIHR only ten days before the presidential elections on 26 January, effectively preventing access to key stages of the electoral process. This decision contravenes Belarus’ obligations as a signatory of the 1990 Copenhagen Document and is further proof of the total lack of credibility of these elections.

    

7. The EU also reiterates its serious concerns regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded. The EU strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters, politicians and media representatives. The Georgian authorities must respect the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, and refrain from using force. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable. We underline the Union’s readiness to support the Georgian people’s European aspirations, and the country’s path towards accession should the Georgian authorities reverse their present course of action.

    

   Madame President,

8. We appreciate the Parliamentary Assembly’s continued participation in election observation activities, which showcases the synergies within the Organisation. Election observation is a valuable tool for promoting democratisation and respect for human rights across our region. We reaffirm our full support for the ODIHR election observation methodology and commend the independent, impartial and professional manner in which it is implemented by the Parliamentary Assembly in partnership with ODIHR.

    

9. Lasting security cannot be sustained without respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law. The OSCE autonomous institutions – ODIHR, RFoM and HCNM – deserve our steadfast support. It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve their strong mandates, and ensure their adequate budgets and proper functioning.

    

10. The Parliamentary Assembly and the governmental side of our Organisation share the common aim of strengthening the OSCE and upholding the commonly agreed principles and commitments that underpin it. As we approach the 50^th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, we have to redouble our efforts to ensure the functionality and effectiveness of our Organisation, with the aim of strengthening the resilience and enhancing the security of our region.

     

11. We appreciate that parliamentarians continue to advocate for the OSCE and its principles and commitments in their respective countries. Parliamentarians, many of them from EU Member States, engaged as special representatives, in ad hoc committees and working groups contribute to addressing both regional and thematic issues.

     

12. In conclusion, we wish you all the very best in the continuation of your proactive leadership of the OSCE PA.