The 29th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) continues in Birmingham. During the morning session of the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, a debate was held on a resolution tabled by the Icelandic delegation on the Arctic region, followed by a vote on its adoption.
The Turkish delegation attempted to pass an amendment deleting an explicit reference to the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Vice President of the OSCE CSO and Head of the Cyprus Delegation, Ms. Irene Charalambidou, objected to the adoption of the Turkish amendment before the members of the Political Affairs and Security Committee, stressing that the real aim of the Turkish side is to undermine the legally binding provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He accused Turkey of exploiting the rights deriving from the Convention - even though it is not a party to it - and of threatening Cyprus and Greece, which are parties to the Convention, with war if they make use of the same rights. Ms Charalambidou asked for the amendment to be rejected, which was done by a large majority.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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