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The 30th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) continued yesterday for the third day.
Amendments tabled by Ms Irini Charalambidou, Vice-Chairwoman of the OSCE JCC, were adopted and incorporated into the resolution of the Political Affairs and Security Committee and the resolution of the Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment Committee.
The first amendment concerned the adoption of sanctions and the refusal of a limited number of countries to adopt them, while in addition they give shelter to oligarchs reaping economic benefits. Ms. Charalambidou stressed that the adoption of sanctions helps to achieve an end to violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states by revisionist states. They are, therefore, steps towards compliance with fundamental principles of international law as well as the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, she said.
The refusal of some states to impose costs on aggressor states significantly reduces the deterrent effect of sanctions and in the long run undermines compliance with the requirements of international legitimacy. He stressed that in addition to Russia, sanctions should be adopted against other reviewing states. This amendment was adopted by a large majority, while it was rejected by Turkey.
In another amendment, Ms Charalambidou recalled the need to adopt a binding Code of Conduct for Members of the Assembly in order to ensure transparency and good governance, as other inter-parliamentary organisations have done. This amendment was adopted unanimously.
Moreover, an additional resolution tabled by Ms. Charalambidou was adopted yesterday concerning the conduct of a performance audit at the OSCE CS alongside the annual financial audit.
The Assembly's Special Representative on Anti-Corruption pointed out that other international organisations have also adopted clear rules for conducting performance audits. The aim of this audit is to ensure, she said, that the OSCE CSO budget is used not only legally but also in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Furthermore, Ms. Charalambidou stressed that the OSCE CSO cannot proclaim to participating States the importance of transparency and accountability if it has not also adopted the highest possible standards for its own operation.
Moreover, in a speech to the Political and Security Committee, Ms. Charalambidou referred to the recent events concerning the Wagner Group mutiny. She underlined the dangers arising from the activity of private mercenary military groups and in particular their lack of control, especially when they have advanced equipment.
Commenting on a relevant reference in the Report of the Rapporteur of the Commission, Ms. Charalambidou said that the failure of the OSCE to maintain peace and security in Europe and to collectively prevent the Russian invasion of Ukraine should be of concern to the international organization.
Cyprus for its part, Ms Charalambidou said, condemns revisionism and opposes any attempt to violate the territorial integrity of any sovereign state and therefore applies sanctions and supports the UN General Assembly Resolutions condemning the Russian invasion.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives, 03/07/2023)
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