COPENHAGEN, 3 August 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) issued the following statement today on the passing of Barbara Prammer, President of the Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) and Head of Austria's Delegation to the PA:

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly mourns the loss of our esteemed colleague and friend, Barbara Prammer. As President of the Austrian National Council and head of her country's Delegation to the OSCE PA, Barbara steadfastly supported the Assembly's work. She was a true leader, annually hosting and addressing the PA's Winter Meetings in Vienna, working for improved gender balance within the OSCE and overseeing one of the Assembly's most active national Delegations.

"On behalf of the entire OSCE PA, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Barbara Prammer and to the government and people of Austria at this difficult time," Kanerva said.