Austrian Parliament President Barbara Prammer (left) listens as PA President Ranko Krivokapic delivers his introductory speech on 13 Feb. 2014. Opening plenary features special address by Speaker of Afghan Parliament's Lower House VIENNA, 13 February 2014 – The 13th Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly began today in Vienna, with keynote speakers urging some 270 parliamentarians from 58 countries to action. The opening plenary

COPENHAGEN, 10 February 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President and President of the Montenegrin Parliament Ranko Krivokapic today called for calm after several days of unrest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urged the government to renew its efforts to tackle unemployment and corruption. "I am deeply disturbed by the recent violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has raised alarm throughout the region and beyond. I urge protesters to

COPENHAGEN, 7 February 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) today expressed concern over the exclusion of the independent "Dozhd" television channel from major cable and satellite operators in Russia and called on authorities to prioritize media plurality. "The 'Dozhd' television channel has attracted a large following in Russia, where most of what is available to viewers is state-controlled. I am

Due to changes in project dates, the content of this release has been modified since original issue. Seminars at top think-tanks and final colloquium to mark 40th anniversary of Helsinki Final Act; consider past, present and future of OSCE. COPENHAGEN, 30 January 2014 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today officially launched its Helsinki +40 Project, an initiative that will bring together security and human rights experts, politicians,

COPENHAGEN, 28 January 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ranko Krivokapic today welcomed the Ukrainian Parliament's decision to scrap several troubling laws and praised the country's efforts to resolve the current crisis through democratic channels. "I welcome the Ukrainian Parliament's vote to repeal the recently adopted anti-protest law and the law re-criminalizing defamation. Both of these measures called into question Ukraine's

Kent Harstedt, Deputy Head of the Swedish Delegation to the OSCE PA (right), meets Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on 22 January in Dushanbe. (photo courtesy of Khovar) COPENHAGEN, 22 January 2014 – A delegation of OSCE Parliamentarians has completed a study visit to Tajikistan that included meetings with President Emomali Rahmon, Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov, lawmakers and representatives of civil society and the media. The delegation