OSCE PA`S EIGHTH WINTER SESSION WRAPS UP IN AUSTRIA

Vienna, 20 February (AzerTAc). The 8th winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ended here today.

One of the highlights of the closing session was a special debate on about the
initiatives by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas
Sarkozy for new European security arrangements. The participants heard from Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Groushko, Deputy Director for Political and
Security Affairs of the French Foreign Ministry Veronique Bujon-Barre and OSCE PA
President Joao Soares.
The delegates also heard presentations by Tone Tingsgaard, the OSCE PA`s Special
Representative on Gender Issues, OSCE PA vice-president and Panos Kammenos, Greek
Vice Minister of Mercantile Marine, Aegean and Island Policy, on “Piracy as a new
security threat.”
The session`s agenda also included a special presentation on Kazakhstan`s
preparations for its OSCE Chairmanship in 2010 by the Kazakh delegation.
Head of the Azerbaijan`s parliamentary delegation to OSCE PA, Milli Majlis
Vice-Speaker Bahar Muradova made a speech at the event. She said her country was
willing to discuss any initiative on strengthening security in Europe.
“Rights of national minorities must be protected on condition of strict maintenance
of territorial integrity of countries,” Muradova underlined.
She noted Azerbaijan resolutely condemns occupation of territories by force, and
considers it as “contrary to international law”.
Muradova also pointed out Azerbaijan considers the OSCE as an important tool in
expanding cooperation in Europe and organizing political dialogue.