The work of the 21st Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe began today in Vienna.
The head of the Cypriot delegation and Vice-President of the OSCE CS, Councillor Irene Charalambidou, participated yesterday evening in an extraordinary meeting of the CS Bureau. She took part in an extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Chairmanship, with the exclusive topic of discussion being the developments in Ukraine, while today she participated in a discussion on the same subject in the framework of a session of the Assembly's Standing Committee.
Ms Charalambidou condemned the generalised Russian invasion of Ukraine, noting that it is a violation of international law and the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.
Ms. Charalambidou noted that Cyprus, given that it is also a victim of similar violations by Turkey, could only support Ukraine's right to legitimate defence against military aggression directed against its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Cypriot MP regretted the human losses, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and appealed for the protection of civilians and full respect of international humanitarian law by the parties involved.
Finally, Ms. Charalambidou expressed concern about the long-term economic consequences that the Member States of the European Union will face as a consequence of the current crisis.
(EX)
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