Resolution also puts specific focus on Afghanistan, Moldova

COPENHAGEN, 25 June 2013 (FRE | RUS | TR) —The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's political and security committee is considering a resolution to increase military transparency and strengthen international agreements on arms control.

The resolution is aimed at updating the OSCE's founding tenants, the Helsinki Accords, heading into their 40th anniversary. The draft calls for parliaments and governments to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, renew negotiations on the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, and update the Vienna Document to lower the threshold at which states are to inform each other of military exercises.

"Given the rapid pace of military development in the past decade, it doesn't take a four-star general to know we need upgraded agreements and upgraded co-operation to strengthen security and human rights in our region," said Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene (Lithuania), rapporteur of the political affairs and security committee and author of the resolution.

The committee resolution recommends strengthening the OSCE Offices in Baku and Yerevan, the OSCE Mission in Moldova, and calls for reestablishing an OSCE presence in Georgia, which was closed in 2008. The draft also seeks to increase OSCE efforts to train border and law enforcement officers in Central Asia and to deepen co-operation with Afghanistan.

"As international troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the OSCE and its members should deepen their work with Kabul to continue training law enforcement officers to strengthen border security and combat drug trafficking," said Asa Lindestam (Sweden), committee chair.

The resolution is being considered for inclusion in the Assembly's Istanbul Declaration, which helps shape OSCE and national policy. Parliamentarians from more than 50 countries will vote on the resolution and declaration at the OSCE PA's Annual Session beginning 29 June in Istanbul. The Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public. The session runs 29 June through 3 July. For more information, click here.