OSCE PA delegation meeting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, 15 June 2022VIENNA, 20 June 2022 – A high-level delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, comprised of OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden), OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Kari Henriksen (Norway) and Secretary General Roberto Montella, has concluded a visit to Armenia and Georgia to discuss regional issues and the work of the OSCE in the region.
The visit, held 15-18 June, began in Yerevan, where the delegation met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, with whom they discussed Armenia’s co-operation with the OSCE. Talks also focused on the way forward for comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region.
“While we are focused on the war in Ukraine, it is important to remember to maintain our support for the work of our organization throughout the entire OSCE region, including the South Caucasus,” President Cederfelt said. “Renewed engagement is vital to achieve sustainable stability and peace in the region.”
Visiting the National Assembly of Armenia, the delegation met with the Vice-Speaker of the Assembly, Ruben Rubinyan, as well as with the Parliamentary Delegation of Armenia to the OSCE PA led by Eduard Aghayanjan, discussing the role of the OSCE and parliamentary diplomacy in addressing humanitarian issues and the upcoming Annual Session of the OSCE PA in Birmingham in July.
The delegation also had the chance to exchange views with the Head of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, Taguhi Tovmasyan, on the topic of Human Rights and Democracy within Armenia and the South Caucasus region.
“Building sustainable democracies takes time and I commend Armenia for its ongoing commitment in strengthening and maintaining democratic principles,” Kari Henriksen stated. “The co-operation between Armenia and the OSCE, including its institutions, is hereby essential and should be reinforced to support democratic reform processes and the protection of human rights throughout the region.”
Margareta Cederfelt and Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi, 18 June 2022President Cederfelt and Secretary General Montella continued the visit in Georgia, where the President addressed the Tbilisi Women’s International Conference organized by the President of Georgia. During her speech, she emphasized the importance of strengthening meaningful and effective efforts in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security across all levels of society and all layers of government.
Following the conference, the delegation was received by the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili; and the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Tea Akhvlediani. Their discussions focused on the co-operation between Georgia and the OSCE, the peaceful settlement of the conflicts in Georgia, as well as the humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied regions.
Visiting the administrative boundary line near Odzisi, the delegation also had the chance to be briefed by the State Security of Georgia on the humanitarian impact of the ongoing occupation on the daily life of the local communities.
Photos of the visit are available on Flickr.
