VALLETTA, 5 December 2024 – Addressing the OSCE Ministerial Council today, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma (Finland) emphasized the critical importance of unity and leadership in navigating the organization through current and future challenges.
Expressing gratitude to Malta and Foreign Minister Ian Borg for their leadership during a turbulent year, Kauma underscored the importance of continuity within the OSCE.
OSCE CiO, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg and OSCE PA President Pia Kauma, Ministerial Council, Malta, 5 December 2024“Despite the short notice, you have steered this organization through turbulent waters with skill and dedication. On behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, thank you,” Kauma said. She also welcomed Finland’s upcoming Chairmanship in 2025, stressing the opportunity for robust co-operation between the OSCE PA and the Chairpersonship to reinforce the organization’s values and principles.
President Kauma urged participating States to secure a Chair for 2026 to maintain the Troika’s continuity. She welcomed Cyprus’s proposal to chair in 2027, emphasizing that sustained leadership is essential for effective governance and decision-making. “The stakes are high, but today we affirm that unity and decisive leadership can overcome division,” Kauma declared.
Joined by the OSCE PA Treasurer Johan Büser (Sweden), Vice-Presidents Pere Joan Pons (Spain), Mykyta Poturaiev (Ukraine), Mark Pritchard (United Kingdom), and Secretary General Roberto Montella, President Kauma highlighted the role of parliamentary engagement in reinforcing public trust in the OSCE. “Back in our capitals, our members continue to raise the profile of the OSCE, advocating for its work and connecting with the citizens we serve,” she noted.
Kauma reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the OSCE’s core principles, emphasizing that peace and security are the foundation of sustainable growth and future investment. “Security is not a privilege for a few but a necessity for everyone,” she added, quoting former Finnish President Urho Kekkonen: “The willingness to compromise is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Kauma addressed Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, reiterating the OSCE PA’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “This war will end only when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine and respects the Helsinki Final Act,” she stated. Kauma stressed that any peace negotiations must be determined solely by Ukraine. “No part of its people, territory, or sovereignty can be sacrificed to appease those of us who, living in peace and security, grow weary of the economic and social consequences of war,” she said.
She also called for the immediate release of OSCE Special Monitoring Mission staff members Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov, who remain unjustly detained and sentenced by Russia.
Highlighting the OSCE PA’s record-breaking election observation efforts in 2024, Kauma noted that over 500 observers were deployed across North America, Europe, and Central Asia. “In an era of increasing polarization, the importance of election observation has never been greater,” she emphasized. Kauma also acknowledged the evolving challenges to democratic processes, including AI-driven disinformation and deep fakes, and pledged the OSCE PA’s commitment to adapting its observation methodologies to these new realities.
“As election observers, we are committed to ensuring that the will of the people—not external influences from the east, west, or anywhere else—determines electoral outcomes,” she stated.
As the OSCE approaches the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, Kauma called for a forward-looking approach to address emerging challenges such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and climate change.
“Dialogue remains one of the most powerful tools at our disposal, even in the face of profound adversity,” she concluded. “It is through dialogue—anchored in our shared principles and a steadfast commitment to justice—that we can forge a lasting and durable path to peace.”
On Wednesday, the OSCE PA Bureau convened in Valletta ahead of the Ministerial Council to discuss the future of the organization and the Assembly's priorities for the upcoming year. Bureau members discussed recent election observation missions, exploring strategies to enhance their efficiency and impact, strengthen co-operation with partners, and improve communication.
For President Kauma's full remarks at the Ministerial Council in PDF format, please click here.
For the video of her remarks, please click here. For photos, please click here.
Additional information on the Ministerial Council is available at the OSCE’s website.
