ROME, 15 September 2018 – For the sake of peace, stability and security in the OSCE area, it is imperative to make wise use of the OSCE’s co-operative tools to restore trust among all participating States, said OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (Georgia) at the end of a series of high-level meetings in the Italian capital this week.

OSCE PA President George Tsereteli with Italian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Enzo Milanesi, Rome, 14 September 2018 (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.)The visit on 13-14 September was intended to ensure close co-ordination with the Italian Chairmanship under the leadership of Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Enzo Moavero Milanesi, most notably exercised through close and constructive interaction of the International Secretariat with the team at the Permanent Delegation of Italy in Vienna led by Ambassador Alessandro Azzoni.

During his visit to Rome, where he was joined by OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella, President Tsereteli met with the President of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati; Vice-President of the Senate, Paola Taverna; President of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico; Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Interior Nicola Molteni, as well as leaders of government and opposition parties.

President Tsereteli emphasized the importance of overcoming differences, building on shared needs and experiences, and restoring a strong commitment to multilateralism. He noted the important role played by the Italian Chair in promoting greater synergy between the parliamentary and governmental structures of the Organization.

“The OSCE remains a privileged forum for dialogue with its comprehensive and multidimensional approach to security,” the President said. “The OSCE PA can play its role by leveraging on the often-underestimated advantages of inter-parliamentary diplomacy.”

He added that Italy is a key member of the OSCE and of the Parliamentary Assembly. “In addressing challenges of our time, such as the crisis in and around Ukraine, the protracted conflicts, migration, terrorism, cyber threats, organized crime, corruption and human trafficking, Italian leadership is indispensable. We look forward to strengthening our co-operation to advance our common goals,” Tsereteli said.

Foreign Minister Milanesi stressed that co-operative dialogue at all levels is needed to overcome existing security challenges in the OSCE region and commended the active contribution of parliamentary diplomacy in this regard.

On Thursday, President Tsereteli delivered an address to a joint session of the foreign affairs committees of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. In his remarks, he noted that with 323 parliamentarians, the OSCE PA is the most inclusive regional parliamentary forum on peace and security.

“As such, it represents a unique bridge between the citizens and the governments in our region, bringing together the hopes and concerns of over one billion people,” he said.

Secretary General Montella welcomed the active contribution of the Italian Delegation to the OSCE PA in all fields, noting the strong representation over the years in the Assembly’s Bureau and in ad hoc committees.

“In the Parliamentary Assembly’s work from election observation to migration to counter-terrorism, Italy has made substantive contributions on all levels. We welcome this engagement and look forward to continued co-operation with the Italian Chairmanship,” said Secretary General Montella.

The President and Secretary General noted that the OSCE PA will hold its annual Autumn Meeting from 3-6 October in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting will include a Mediterranean Forum on the theme of “Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Mediterranean: Addressing Migration, Trade and Environmental Challenges.”

Photos from the two-day visit to Italy are available on Flickr.