Eric Smaling of the Netherlands greets Rapporteur Serhiy Shevchuk. BELGRADE, 8 July 2011 – Meeting for the first time since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment today passed a resolution to increase nuclear energy safety and create a global disaster response system. With nuclear energy accounting for 35 per cent of Europe’s electricity, the

Voting in the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security on 8 July 2011. BELGRADE, 8 July 2011 – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe should provide assistance when asked in the fields of democracy and human rights in North Africa, according to a resolution adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Political Affairs and Security. The measure is now expected to pass before the full Assembly on Sunday.

Committee Rapporteurs Tonino Picula, Serhiy Shevchuk and Matteo Mecacci BELGRADE, 7 July 2011 – Opening the First Committee meeting Thursday, Chair Karl-Georg Wellmann (Germany) presented the agenda for the coming days, which includes consideration of five Supplementary Items and elections for new Committee Officers on Saturday. Former OSCE PA Special Representative on Central Asia Kimmo Kiljunen presented the final report of the Kyrgyzstan

President Efthymiou addresses opening plenary of the 20th Annual Session (OSCE PA) BELGRADE, 6 July 2011 – Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou today called for significant changes to the operations of the OSCE to make it more effective in addressing modern political and security crises. Speaking at the opening of the 20th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly under the theme of “Strengthening the OSCE’s Effectiveness and

BELGRADE, 6 July 2011 – The Standing Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly voted today to approve 25 resolutions for consideration in the three general committees. Four resolutions dealing with human rights in Belarus, human trafficking, organized crime, and women’s representation at the Assembly were assigned to be debated Saturday in the plenary. The Standing Committee is comprised of the Assembly’s elected leadership and Heads of

BELGRADE, 5 July 2011 –Delegations have started to arrive in Belgrade for the 20th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. More than 240 parliamentarians are expected from 52 countries to take part in the largest event on the Assembly’s calendar. Under the theme of “Strengthening the OSCE’s Effectiveness and Efficiency – A new start after the Astana Summit,” members will vote on more than 25 resolutions covering Mediterranean