HELSINKI, 11 July 2019 – OSCE PA President Emeritus and Special Representative on Mediation Ilkka Kanerva attended in Moscow the second International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism.” Highlighting the OSCE’s security concept at the forum, he addressed pressing issues in international relations as well as key challenges facing European security.

Kanerva appealed to the participants to uphold dialogue in order to reach solutions on the issues shadowing European and wider international relations. He stressed that these topics are a key element of parliamentary diplomacy and that parliaments have a role to play in solving common problems, to appeal to national governments and take responsibility.

“Information war can range from pushing fake news stories and conspiracy theories to fanning the flames of existing problems — all serving to undermine public confidence in governments and institutions. The best way to respond is less by correcting the information, and more about having your own positive narrative and sticking to it,” President Emeritus Kanerva said.

At the International Forum, held 30 June to 3 July, Kanerva attended a round table discussion on information influencing and fake news. The forum was assembled on the initiative of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and included over 900 participants from 130 countries.

Kanerva also congratulated the Council of Europe on reaching a solution in the matter of Russia’s membership. He underlined that for the sake of European dialogue and human rights issues, it was crucial that regardless of the existing differences, a solution was reached.