REPORT OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Eighth Winter Meeting Vienna, Austria 19-20 February 2009

Prepared by the International Secretariat of the OSCE PA 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

CCONTENTSONTENTS

SSUMMARYUMMARY ...... 1

SSTANDINGTANDING COMMITTEECOMMITTEE MEETINGMEETING ...... 2

FFIRSTIRST JOINTJOINT SESSIONSESSION OFOF THETHE GENERALGENERAL COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES ...... 4

CCOMMITTEEOMMITTEE MMEETINGSEETINGS ...... 1100

FFirstirst GGeneraleneral CCommitteeommittee oonn PPoliticalolitical AAffairsffairs aandnd SSecurityecurity ...... 1010

S Secondecond GeneralGeneral CCommitteeommittee oonn EEconomicconomic AAffairs,ffairs, SScience,cience, T Technologyechnology aandnd thethe EnvironmentEnvironment ...... 1122

T Thirdhird GGeneraleneral CCommitteeommittee oonn DDemocracy,emocracy, HHumanuman RRightsights andand HumanitarianHumanitarian QuestionsQuestions ...... 1414

SSECONDECOND JOINTJOINT SESSIONSESSION OFOF THETHE GENERALGENERAL COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES ...... 1616

SSpecialpecial DDebateebate oonn PProposalsroposals fforor a NNewew EuropeanEuropean SecuritySecurity AArchitecturerchitecture ...... 1166

CCLOSINGLOSING JOINTJOINT SESSIONSESSION OFOF THETHE GENERALGENERAL COMMITTEESCOMMITTEES ...... 1818

R Reporteport byby thethe OSCEOSCE PAPA SpecialSpecial RRepresentativeepresentative oonn GGenderender IIssuesssues ...... 1188

S Specialpecial PPresentationresentation oonn ““PiracyPiracy aass a NNewew SSecurityecurity TThreat”hreat” ...... 1199

PPROGRAMMEROGRAMME ...... 2233

2 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Summary

ince February 2002, the OSCE PA has Sheld an annual Winter Meeting at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna. The Winter Meeting provides an opportunity for the three General Committees to hold discussions and be briefed by high-level OSCE offi cials. The Meeting also serves as an opportunity for parliamentarians to hear presentations by the three Committee Rapporteurs and to discuss their draft reports for the upcoming Annual Session. The Winter Meeting is the second largest event in the OSCE PA calendar.

he Eighth Winter Meeting on 19-20 Feb- transparency. Its meetings should be open, he Truary concluded with a lively debate on said, and the consensus rule should be adjusted. European security architecture, involving “We still have a lot of work to do to open up prominent speakers from Russia and France our Organization and I pledge here to continue and almost 50 of the 250 parliamentarians par- my efforts to do that,” he said. ticipating in the Vienna meeting. The two-day meeting – the second largest The security debate took place as a follow-up event in the OSCE PA calendar after the Annual on recent initiatives by Russian President Dmitry Session – was addressed by a number of top Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy offi cials, including the OSCE Chairperson-in- for new European security arrangements. Offi ce, Greece’s Foreign Minister Dora Bakoy- “We need a fresh annis; the President of approach” remarked “We still have a lot of work to the Austrian Nationalrat, Alexander Groushko, Barbara Prammer; the Deputy Foreign Min- do to open up our Organization President of the NATO ister of the Russian and I pledge here to continue Parliamentary Assem- Federation, one of the my efforts to do that.” bly, John Tanner; OSCE two main speakers. Secretary General Marc The other, Veronique OSCE PA President Joao Soares Perrin de Brichambaut Bujon-Barre, Deputy Director for Political and and several heads of OSCE Institutions. Security Affairs in the French Foreign Ministry, During the closing session, the Delegates talked about a new “crisis of trust in Europe” heard from OSCE PA’s Special Representative after the war last year in Georgia and the “need on Gender Issues, OSCE PA Vice-President to re-establish that lost trust.” Tone Tingsgaard, and Panos Kammenos, Greek During the opening session, OSCE PA Pres- Vice Minister of Mercantile Marine, Aegean & ident Joao Soares welcomed the 250 parlia- Island Policy, on “Piracy As a New Security mentarians and underlined the importance of Threat.” the OSCE being willing to engage and meet The Winter Meeting’s agenda also included new challenges. a special presentation on Kazakhstan’s prepa- “The OSCE is an extraordinary organiza- rations for its OSCE Chairmanship in 2010 by tion and its greatest strength has been its fl ex- the Kazakh Delegation, led by its Head of Del- ibility, allowing it to adapt to new realities,” egation and OSCE PA Vice-President, Kassym- Mr. Soares said. “However, I fear that this fl ex- Jomart Tokayev. ibility is being lost here in Vienna. We parlia- In his presentation, Mr. Tokayev outlined mentarians must do what we can to keep the Kazakhstan’s priorities for political and eco- OSCE an effective forum for dialogue.” nomic reforms. He stated that “our priorities He regretted the fact that the OSCE still lacks are clear and irreversible.”

1 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Standing Committee Meeting

he Standing Committee consists of Tthe OSCE PA’s 56 Heads of National Delegations and Members of the Bureau. Meeting three times a year – at the Winter Meeting, the Fall Meetings and the Annual Session – the Standing Committee guides the work of the Assembly, approves its budget, and appoints the Secretary General. The 2009 Winter Meeting’s Standing Committee met on 19 February and was addressed by several high-ranking offi cials.

Report by the President of the OSCE ing the budget to guarantee the better function- Parliamentary Assembly, Joao Soares ing of the OSCE and all the related problems of the Mission to Georgia. Concerning gender President Joao Soares opened the meeting equality in the OSCE, he explained that when and informed the Standing Committee of his it comes to hiring in the Organization, candi- activities since being elected President at the dates are not seconded with gender balance in Annual Session in Astana. mind, which has made it diffi cult to improve Mr. Soares noted that during his Presidency gender balance in the OSCE Institutions. the Assembly has been serving as a forum Touching on the global fi nancial crisis, Mr. for open debate on the most important issues de Brichambaut noted that the economic and facing the OSCE region, such as the crisis in environmental dimension has been one of the Georgia (which was debated during the Fall core areas of concern for the OSCE since its Meetings in September 2008), proposals for inception. He stressed that when it comes to a new European security architecture (which this dimension, OSCE principles can be imple- would be discussed the next day, during the mented in a very specifi c way. Winter Meeting’s Special Debate), and the He also pointed out that the countries in world fi nancial crisis (which is the topic of the the process of economic emergence are pro- PA’s Economic Conference in May 2009). foundly affected by the global economic crisis. He also announced the re-appointment of The Secretary General also regretted to inform a number of OSCE PA Special Representa- the Standing Committee that the OSCE pres- tives and the new appointment of envoys to ence in Georgia had not been reconsolidated lead Assembly work in Georgia and Afghani- because there has been no consensus on a com- stan. Mr. Soares went on to describe his many promise. His hope was that, by the time of the activities as President, such as holding meet- next Winter Meeting, the situation would be ings with government and parliamentary lead- different. ers in the Russian Federation and leading the OSCE PA’s Election Observation Mission to Report by the Treasurer of the OSCE the United States. Parliamentary Assembly, Hans Raidel

Address by the OSCE Secretary General, The Treasurer of the Assembly, Hans Raidel, Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut was pleased to inform the Standing Commit- tee that the OSCE PA´s fi scal year 2007/2008 OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de remained within the approved budget for the Brichambaut made the point that the OSCE 16th year in a row. He remarked on the effi cient was born in a context of division and has sur- way the Assembly operates on such a low budget vived very challenging times. Stating that the given the increasing number of its activities. Organization still plays a fundamental role in The report that was distributed to the Stand- European security, he emphasized that the PA ing Committee, Mr. Raidel noted, represents a is a key aspect of this role. solid basis of understanding as it does not con- He also underlined the importance of adopt- tain any doubt as to the status of accounts. 2 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Standing Committee Meeting

3 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Standing Committee Meeting

Report by the Secretary General of the upcoming election observation missions and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, encouraged an active participation from all the R. Spencer Oliver Delegations. The Standing Committee meet- ing also included reports from the Assembly’s OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver various Ad Hoc Committees and Special Rep- informed the participants of the Assembly’s resentatives. The Chair of the Ad Hoc Work- recent activities, which have contributed to ing Group on Belarus, Uta Zapf, noted that its steady growth as an important and infl uen- positive results in Belarus have been increas- tial international organization. He reminded ing after the elections of 2008. She explained the Delegates of two major upcoming events that the Working Group has become larger – the Economic Conference in Dublin in May and reminded the Standing Committee of the 2009 and the Annual Session in Vilnius – and upcoming seminar on economic issues which thanked everyone for their support. would take place in Minsk on 11 March 2009. Mr. Oliver reported that the Assembly has The Special Representative for Afghani- continued its important efforts in the fi eld of stan, Michel Voisin, stressed the importance of election observation, sending delegations to assisting the local population in Afghanistan lead OSCE observer teams in Georgia, Armenia, but highlighted that there are still many prob- Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Mac- lems in carrying out activities in the country. edonia, Belarus and the United States over the The Special Representative on Mediterra- past year. In the fi rst half of 2009, he said, the nean Affairs, Alcee L. Hastings, reported on PA would observe the elections in Montenegro, developments in Iraq and on the $2.1 billion in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, humanitarian aid that the U.S. government has Moldova and Albania. provided to alleviate the crisis of Iraqi refu- The Secretary General also reminded the gees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Delegates that News from Copenhagen and He underlined the extraordinary work of the the OSCE PA’s web site are excellent sources Swedish government on Iraqi IDPs and refu- of up-to-date information on the activities of gees and reported on his recent visit to the the Assembly. He stated that, over the past 16 Mediterranean. He said that there is the pros- years, the value of the PA’s work has increased pect for OSCE engagement in the Middle East and that the development of the International Peace Process and increased co-operation in Secretariat’s Research Fellowship Programme the Maghreb economy. has provided vital support to the staff. The Special Representative on South East Europe, Roberto Battelli, reported on his par- Reports on Election Observation Activities, liamentary visit to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia the Ad Hoc Committees and the Activities and Herzegovina as well as his participation in of the Special Representatives a roundtable discussion on combating human traffi cking, hosted by the parliament in Sara- OSCE PA Deputy Secretary General Tina jevo. He also mentioned the upcoming OSCE Schoen informed the parliamentarians of election observation activities in the region.

4 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Standing Committee Meeting

sub-Saharan African Region, in particular con- cerning traffi cking in human beings and arms smuggling. The Special Representative for Central Asia, Kimmo Kiljunen, said that the role of the PA in Central Asia has improved, especially regard- ing parliamentary co-operation. All countries have been very active, with the exception of Uzbekistan. He also listed some events that would be taking place in the region in 2009 and 2010, such as the Trans-Asian Parliamen- tary Forum in Kazakhstan. The Special Representative on Nagorno Kara- The Special Representative on the OSCE bakh, President Emeritus Goran Lennmarker, Budget, Petur Blondal, reported on the fi nances underlined the need for a peaceful resolution, of the governmental structures of the OSCE, agreed to by both parties, in particular through making specifi c recommendations on politi- understanding at the individual level. He also cal and management questions relating to the stated that the parliamentary dimension in con- budget. fl ict resolution needs to be strengthened. Mr. Blondal discussed his September visits Mr. Lennmarker expressed his concern to the Offi ce for Democratic Institutions and over the security environment in Georgia. Human Rights in Warsaw and to the OSCE He pointed out that there are mainly three External Auditor in Oslo. Following his meet- issues that should be considered: the need for ings, he concluded that the problem is not with observers along the administrative boundary the funding per se, but with the lack of an effi - line to prevent further incidents; the need to cient regulatory framework, especially in terms guarantee the right to return home, especially of oversight and transparency. Another point for IDPs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia raised was linked to human resources and to the (and again the consequent role of observers in implementation of OSCE Staff Regulations. providing protection); and the need to ensure The Special Representative for the Fight that no more bases and military equipment against Transnational Organized Crime, Sen- reach the region. ator Carlo Vizzini, spoke about the current The Standing Committee concluded with global economic recession and its effects on reports on preparations for upcoming OSCE the increased activities of organized crime PA meetings, including the Bureau Meeting on networks, especially with regard to money 19-20 April in Lisbon, Portugal; the Economic laundering operations. He underlined the links Conference in Dublin, Ireland on 27-29 May; between various international mafi as and the the Eighteenth Annual Session from 29 June to expansion of the Chinese mafi a. He also drew 3 July in Vilnius, Lithuania; and the Fall Meet- attention to organized crime activities in the ings on 9-12 October in Athens, Greece.

5 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

First Joint Session of the General Committees

Opening Remarks by Barbara Prammer, John Tanner, President of the NATO President of the Austrian Nationalrat Parliamentary Assembly

The President of the Austrian Nationalrat, NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Barbara Prammer, opened the Joint Session of John Tanner began his remarks by outlining the the three General Committees by welcoming all great similarity in the work of the NATO PA Delegations and praising the established tradi- and the OSCE PA. Not only do the two Assem- tion of holding the Winter Meeting in Vienna, blies share the same goals and even some of the thus uniting the OSCE Institutions in the city same members, but they also refl ect on a deep and showcasing the work of the respective mutual association. Additionally, Mr. Tanner member governments. reminded the assembled Delegates about the Additionally, she recognized the 20th anni- importance of reinforcing their joint efforts in versary of the end of the Soviet era and the East- order to bear an even greater responsibility in West division of Europe, a process in which the this time of crisis. CSCE played a signifi cant role. Ms. Prammer President Tanner acknowledged new com- also emphasized the preventive nature of the mitments from the United States to act preven- OSCE, an important characteristic at this time tively instead of preemptively in times of future given the ongoing confl icts in the Caucasus. confl ict. According to Mr. Tanner, there are In regards to the proposals for a new Euro- two main challenges that lie ahead: the fallout pean security architecture, President Prammer from the global fi nancial crisis and the ongoing called on all parliamentarians to join the current efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. debate, underlining that the early success of the Additionally, Mr. Tanner recognized that the CSCE relied heavily on parliamentary efforts. OSCE PA is an important body in a world where She stressed the idea that a comprehensive goods cannot always easily cross borders, but security framework is critical especially during crimes do. Considering this point, he argued times of economic hardship. She also empha- that the OSCE should work to strengthen its sized that in the context of the fi nancial crisis, role as an early warning system. Finally, as a international security is particularly vulnerable. leading forum for co-ordinating efforts in a vast Many challenges lie ahead, Ms. Prammer region, the OSCE PA is a symbol of teamwork pointed out, especially in the struggle for dis- in places where vain individual efforts no longer armament. In this regard, she highlighted Aus- suffi ce. tria’s leading role in the fi ght to ban cluster munitions and its efforts to enhance the signing Joao Soares, President of the OSCE PA process of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Finally, Ms. Prammer discussed gender bal- President Joao Soares started his presentation ance, a topic that has yet to fi nd its way into by highlighting the growing size of the meet- mainstream politics despite its important effects ing, noting that the 2009 Winter Meeting was on the prosperity, rule of law and democratiza- the largest one yet. President Soares declared tion of individual countries. that the biggest advantage of the OSCE is its

6 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

First Joint Session of the General Committees

Barbara Prammer, President of OSCE Chairperson-in-Offi ce the Austrian Nationalrat Dora Bakoyannis

fl exibility to adapt to new realities. He person- caused by uncontrolled migratory movements. ally expressed his strong belief in the OSCE’s She said that a result-driven dialogue should potential to meet new challenges. However, begin ideally well ahead of the Fall Meetings Mr. Soares acknowledged that the Organiza- in Athens. tion lacks transparency and that there is a need Furthermore, Minister Bakoyannis stated her for the consensus rule to be adjusted. Election commitment to addressing the long term threat observation remains the centerpiece of the work of climate change and the need to initiate a mul- of the OSCE PA, Mr. Soares said, because the ti-level dialogue on the issue. expertise of parliamentarians cannot be met Election observation remains the fl agship by the qualifi cations of bureaucrats. Addition- activity for the OSCE PA, Ms. Bakoyannis said, ally, Mr. Soares drew particular attention to the stressing that successful collaboration between importance of all parties respecting the 1997 Co- the PA and ODIHR is vital to the success of this operation Agreement on OSCE elction observa- important OSCE endeavour. tion activities. He concluded by expressing his On other issues, Ms. Bakoyannis criticized great hope in the Greek Chairmanship. the continued habit of delaying the Unifi ed Budget, and she urged the Delegates to fi nd Dora Bakoyannis, Foreign Minister of prompt agreement on the issue. She fi nally Greece and OSCE Chairperson-in-Offi ce elaborated on the current security architecture proposal and emphasized that the OSCE is Minister Dora Bakoyannis began by express- the natural platform for pan-European discus- ing her concern about the serious crisis in the sions. Caucasus, emphasizing the high number of dis- Ms. Bakoyannis concluded by articulating placed persons. She called the current situation three guiding principles for the OSCE: mod- a wake-up call to preserve the fragile cease- esty, consolidation and deliberation. She under- fi re. She also said that the threat of technical lined that careful work is needed to continue closure of the missions in Georgia still remains, and uphold the legacy established in Helsinki and therefore, the OSCE should increase, not in 1975. reduce, its efforts regarding Georgia. Following the Foreign Minister’s address, a Regarding the aspirations of the Greek Chair- question and answer session was held in which manship, Ms. Bakoyannis expressed her desire a number of important issues were addressed. to serve as an honest broker for all OSCE par- The crisis in Georgia was discussed, as well as ticipating States. Furthermore, she outlined relations between the OSCE PA and ODIHR in several priority areas: advancing crisis manage- election observation. ment, improving the effectiveness of the OSCE Another issue that came up concerned allega- by strengthening its legal status, and following tions of censorship of the OSCE web site, which through on commitments to border security and had recently refused to publish statements made policing. by the OSCE PA and its President. Ms. Bakoy- With the Economic Conference in Dublin annis reminded the Delegates that there are in mind, Chairperson Bakoyannis initiated a binding obligations to which every representa- discussion of the multi-dimensional challenge tive of the OSCE is subjected. 7 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

8 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

9 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

First General Committee on Political Affairs and Security

Eric Lebedel, Chairman of the Forum for Security Co-operation

Jean-Charles Gardetto, of the FSC rotates every four months, and Chair of the First Committee it changes in correspondence to the French alphabet. Since January, France has held the In his opening remarks, Jean-Charles Chairmanship. This year the FSC will be led by Gardetto, Chair of the First General Committee France, Georgia, and Great Britain. on Political Affairs and Security, introduced In conclusion, the Ambassador stated that the the Committee’s speakers and expressed his FSC is a useful tool, especially in conjunction hopes that 2009 produces progress in resolving with the Permanent Council (PC). To give a the “frozen” confl icts in the Caucasus and few examples, Lebedel remarked that on 11 Transnistria. He remarked that the cost of human February, Ambassador Hansjorg Haber, Chief lives is too high to ignore these confl icts, and that of the EU Evaluation Mission to Georgia, their resolution is essential to secure stability, came to speak at a joint FSC-PC meeting, as human rights, and the rule of law. Mr. Gardetto did the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, also suggested that the Parliamentary Assembly M.A. Groushko, on 18 February. Ambassador could be used as a suitable international forum Lebedel was pleased that these meetings gave to exchange views on the gas crisis and future the Organization the opportunity to put the new questions of energy security. comprehensive security concept at the forefront of its discussions. Ambassador Eric Lebedel, Chairman of the Forum for Security Co-operation Ambassador Mara Marinaki, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council In his presentation, Ambassador Eric Lebedel described the structure and functions of the OSCE Ambassador Mara Marinaki of Greece stated Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) and that the Parliamentary Assembly’s Winter highlighted its three subsidiary working parties: Meeting presented an excellent opportunity to Working Group A, which focuses on technical share views on the burning questions of the day. matters of the FSC mandate, specifi cally the Characterizing the OSCE as members of a single Code of Conduct and Small Arms; Working family with shared values, she promoted the Group B, which deals with military security, concept of indivisibility while acknowledging cyber security, and methods of improving that last year saw OSCE principles challenged stability; and the Communications Group, with the confl ict in Georgia. However, she which includes experts who ensure that all argued that the Organization had worked hard Delegations have satisfactory communications to manage the crisis through OSCE confl ict with one another. management and confi dence-building measures, Ambassador Lebedel explained that the FSC as well as through its fi eld missions,the work in is based on three founding documents: the 1999 Vienna and its delegations of the Parliamentary Vienna Document, the Code of Conduct related Assembly. Ambassador Marinaki suggested that to the Political-Military Aspects of Security, the conditions of equality are what make the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons, unique. The consensus required by participating as well as the Document on Stockpiles of States makes decisions diffi cult, but it also Conventional Munitions. The Chairmanship makes results the most rewarding. 10 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

First General Committee on Political Affairs and Security

involve instability, inequality, and famine, which contribute to insecurity. He stated that this topic requires more commitments from governments and parliaments, and more work must be done to promote the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.

Consiglio Di Nino, Vice-Chair of the First Committee

Mara Marinaki, Chairperson of Consiglio Di Nino, Vice-Chair of the First the OSCE Permanent Council Committee, presented a report highlighting Ms. Marinaki also pointed out that the some of the activities that the OSCE and its Permanent Council and the Forum for participating States have taken to address the Security Co-operation work together in crisis recommendations made by the Assembly in management to react to unusual military Astana in July 2008. On the regulation of activities and to co-operate and respond to private military and security companies, Mr. new security threats. The Ambassador noted Di Nino noted that since Astana, ten OSCE that the Permanent Council is a forum for participating States had signed on to the political dialogue with an executive structure Montreux Document, which reaffi rms that for implementing its decisions. In her closing military and security contractors in war zones remarks, she asserted that the OSCE works to must comply with relevant international law. support States and societies and continues to Regarding transparency and institutional work towards a free and peaceful Europe. reform within the OSCE, Mr. Di Nino regretted that no changes had taken place, and that the Riccardo Migliori, Permanent Council had not provided feedback Rapporteur of the First Committee to the PA’s recommendations to be better integrated into the OSCE decision-making processes. Riccardo Migliori, Rapporteur of the First On cluster munitions, Mr. Di Nino was Committee, made a presentation on topics to pleased to inform the Committee that 33 OSCE be considered at the 2009 Annual Session in participating States had signed the Convention Vilnius. Mentioning that the OSCE is founded on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits all on the principle of the indivisibility of security, use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Mr. Migliori emphasized that all countries must cluster munitions. Mr. Di Nino also recalled work together on crosscutting issues, such as the Committee’s urging of the Organization, organized crime, terrorism, cyber crime, and national parliaments and governments to the global fi nancial crisis. He argued that in strengthen their contributions, both in terms of this context, food shortages are also a threat to military and humanitarian aid, to Afghanistan’s security, and therefore is a topic that he would security and stability. like to see raised at the 2009 Annual Session. The Rapporteur remarked that the OSCE can Discussion no longer ignore the challenge of food shortages throughout the world. For example, in 2008, The ensuing discussion in the First Egypt, Tunisia, Ukraine, and parts of Asia Committee covered many issues, particularly limited grain exports due to domestic shortages the security situation in the South Caucasus and rising costs. He highlighted crops being and the recent Gaza crisis in the Middle East. produced for energy rather than food, climate Parliamentarians discussed ways to strengthen change, the decline of the rural economy, the OSCE’s efforts to encourage confl ict and the increase of populations in developing resolution and disarmament in the South countries as causes for food insecurity. Caucasus. The participants also discussed ways Mr. Migliori maintained that food security that the OSCE could increase participation ought to be a priority of the OSCE and the with its Mediterranean partners to promote and Parliamentary Assembly because shortages secure peace in the Middle East. 11 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Second General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and the Environment

Petros Efthymiou, cerns in the OSCE area. He emphasized that Chair of the Second Committee the economic meltdown has already a profound impact on societies, especially regarding social The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Gen- unrest that have spread since the onset of the eral Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, fi nancial crisis in many participating States. Technology and the Environment met on 19 The debate focused mainly on concerns February and was chaired by Petros Efthy- about the rise of protectionism with some par- miou. liamentarians underlining the need for free Mr. Efthymiou opened the meeting by stress- trade and others emphasizing the need to bal- ing the importance of the “second basket” and ance free trade, markets and government. The recalling that during the Fall Meetings in Toronto necessity for a global regulatory overhaul to parliamentarians had learned of the collapse of measure risks in an accurate manner was also fi nancial giant Lehman Brothers, one of the touched upon. Some parliamentarians noted events in the spiralling global economic crisis. that since we are still in relatively early stages With this in mind he informed participants of the crisis it would be useful to hear in Dublin that in the coming months the Committee and in Vilnius on best practices in participating would be focusing its efforts on addressing the States on steps they may have taken to tackle crisis, which in fact was the primary topic of the the fi nancial crisis. upcoming OSCE PA Economic Conference in May hosted by the Irish Parliament. Goran Svilanovic, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Ivor Callely, Rapporteur of Environmental Activities the Second Committee Goran Svilanovic, Co-ordinator of OSCE Mr. Callely, Rapporteur of the Committee, Economic and Environmental Activities, detailed his ideas and intentions regarding his reported on his activities and spelled out the Report on the fi nancial and economic crisis main priorities of his offi ce which are in line for the Annual Session in Vilnius. He outlined with those of the Greek Chairmanship. These the origins and the mechanisms of the cur- include, inter alia, migration issues, as well rent fi nancial crisis, stressing that causes are as capacity and institution building. Mr. Svi- to be found on both the macro-economic level lanovic underscored that migration should not (global capital imbalances) and the micro-eco- be deemed a threat since it is recognized that it nomic level (fl awed banking regulation). improves the economic output of the countries He made clear that in his Report for the of destination. Sustainable environment and Annual Session, he will consider the effects of security are also paramount issues, above all the current crisis on political and security con- in the context of climate change.

12 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Second General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and the Environment Roland Blum, Vice-Chair of the Second Committee

Roland Blum, Vice-Chair of the Commit- tee, summarized the Follow-Up Report to the Astana Declaration which focused – among other issues – on climate change, Chernobyl, free trade, debt relief and revenue transpar- ency in the extractive industries. Among these topics, Mr. Blum focused par- ticularly on climate change, hailing the recent initiatives in the OSCE participating States and most saliently the Climate Energy pack- age adopted by the European Union and the designation by the Obama Administration of a new envoy for tackling climate change. Mr. Blum also concentrated on free trade. Recalling the mistakes made after crisis of 1929, he emphasized that protectionism is only likely to deepen the crisis and its fallout. The Vice-Chair also highlighted the need for over- hauling our economic model and giving more place to industry and better regulation.

Discussion

During the debate a number of parliamen- tarians drew attention to the growing trend of protectionism in the OSCE area, arguing that these sorts of measures are not the answer to the economic crisis and could lead to greater political instability. Ambassador Werner Almhoffer, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, summed up the situation in Kosovo one year after the decla- ration of independence and outlined the main economic issues against the backdrop of the fi nancial crisis. Mr. Almhoffer acknowledged that as a small territory, Kosovo should benefi t from a certain time lag before it gets touched by the tide of the crisis. It should then get better prepared, especially in the light of rising trade defi cit, falling foreign direct investment and exports. Parliamentarians underlined the need to improve the situation in Kosovo. It was empha- sized that despite the active involvement of sev- eral international organizations, Kosovo still remains a sensitive case on crime, traffi cking and corruption issues. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo was praised, however, for its contribu- tions to the fi ght against corruption. 13 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Third General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions

Walburga Habsburg-Douglas, the fact that children’s rights had emerged Acting Chair of the Third Committee as a priority from discussions with the other Delegates. She also mentioned that, while Meeting on 20 February, the Third Gen- the Assembly’s Delegates came from a vari- eral Committee was chaired by Walburga ety of backgrounds, everyone is faced by two Habsburg-Douglas, in the absence of the Com- common threats: unresolved confl icts and ref- mittee Chair Hilda Solis. ugees. She said that she hoped to address these Ms. Habsburg-Douglas began by congratu- concerns in the fi rst section of her report, plac- lating Ms. Solis on her recent appointment ing particular emphasis on the need to address as Secretary of Labor in the cabinet of U.S. IDP and refugee issues throughout the OSCE President Barack Obama, and then outlined area. the committee’s three priorities for the meet- For the second section, Ms. Karpovich said ing: follow-up on past work, preparation for that it was her intent to discuss the effects of the future work, and interacting with the OSCE’s world fi nancial crisis on the social dimension. governmental side. She said that both labour migration and rising She then presented the Follow-Up Report and levels of unemployment were concerns that opened the meeting up for discussion. Topics needed extra focus. She noted that unemploy- addressed during the discussion included the ment rates are higher among women than men Nagorno-Karabakh confl ict, OSCE election in most participating States, and that women observation, the humanitarian consequences are currently the most vulnerable to the effects of the recent Gaza confl ict, and U.S. President of the economic downturn. Finally, the Rap- Barack Obama’s decision to close the Guan- porteur said that much had been achieved in tanamo Bay detention facility. Delegates also promoting human rights and the rule of law, noted the danger of rising xenophobia during but that much work remained to be done. She this period of economic crisis. added that she was open to additional sugges- In closing the debate, Ms. Habsburg-Doug- tions given the large scope of the Committee’s las thanked the Delegates for their remarks mandate and experiences. and expressed her belief that a peaceful com- In the ensuing discussion, Delegates pointed promise on Nagorno-Karabakh would soon be to a range of issues that they would like to see reached, at least partly thanks to the efforts and also covered in Ms. Karpovich’s Report. One hard work of President Emeritus Goran Lenn- suggested that the death penalty should be marker. addressed at the Annual Session, while other topics included migration, youth unemploy- Natalia Karpovich, ment, nationalism and racism. Rapporteur of the Third Committee The Rapporteur noted that there would be many issues to cover in her report and thanked The Committee Rapporteur, Natalia Kar- the Delegates for their feedback. She said that povich, presented her ideas and intentions she would be interested in adding a third sec- regarding her upcoming Report for the Annual tion to her report to discuss the demographic Session. She expressed her appreciation for crisis.

14 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Third General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions Miklos Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Mr. Haraszti began by stating that parlia- mentarians are the highest guardians of human rights and should work to promote human rights all over the world. He said that he had prepared a “trouble list” that consists of typifi ed prob- lems that stretch across many state and social boundaries. First, he said, the emergence of a belief that human rights and democracy are “relative” has by the Assembly in its earliest days. Given been used by some participating States to dilute that ODIHR and the Assembly both recog- their commitments. Mr. Haraszti insisted that nize the importance of certain issues, he said this practice must stop, that human rights are that ODIHR is ready to support the PA in its universal and that they serve as the very foun- activities. The potential for the two Institutions dation of the OSCE. He criticized the claims by to complement each others’ work is strong, he some States that being held accountable for bad said, and that close co-operation would ensure practices is an intrusion into “internal affairs.” that the OSCE would remain the world leader in Secondly, he brought up the obligation for all election observation. participating States to stop the intimidation and killing of journalists. He said that, in such an Discussion atmosphere, there is a risk that journalists and editors will engage in self-censorship, which in In the debate that followed the remarks of the turn harms democracy and encourages a deepen- two specially invited guests, a number issues ing culture of corruption. were addressed including migration and xeno- Mr. Haraszti also argued that attitudes on phobia. OSCE election observation activities “extremism” should be adjusted, contending were also discussed, with some Delegations that being critical of a government should not asking whether ODIHR and the Parliamentary be included in its defi nition. Also, journalists Assembly would be working together in the are sometimes prosecuted for breaching security future. when they reveal damaging information about Former PA President Alcee Hastings, who government corruption. He insisted that journal- has led numerous election observation mis- ists ought not be punished for upholding the prin- sions, highlighted the fact that the Assembly ciples of transparency and accountability. has been leading OSCE election observation missions for 16 years and that it is ODIHR Janez Lenarcic, Director of ODIHR that usually deviates from the 1997 Co-oper- ation Agreement that governs the relationship Janez Lenarcic began his remarks by applaud- between the PA and ODIHR in this process. ing the focus in the Astana Declaration on the Mr. Hastings pointed out that under the Agree- need for transparency. He contended that par- ment, “the Chairman-in-Offi ce places lead- liamentarians are agents of change, who bring ership of the election observation missions a strong combination of credibility and expe- directly to the Parliamentary Assembly.” rience with them in their efforts to facilitate a Mr. Hastings went on to criticize the fact that decision-making process built on transparency. the staff of the ODIHR lacks political experi- Mr. Lenarcic said that the Astana Declaration is ence and “doesn’t have a single person who an excellent starting point for promoting demo- has ever been elected to anything.” The former cratic development and agreed with Mr. Harazs- President went on to say that “We need to stop ti’s point that relativity has become a problem in this divisiveness and get on with the critical the OSCE area. business for the OSCE that allows for co-opera- The Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Lenarcic tion of the Parliamentary Assembly and ODIHR said, is a source of new ideas and has proven and Council of Europe and the NATO Assembly this point time and again. Many of the issues and anyone else that is interested in developing that ODIHR deals with were topics dealt with democracy as it pertains to elections.” 15 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Second Joint Session of the General Committees

Special Debate on Proposals for a New as well as the human and the environmental European Security Architecture dimensions, and respecting the Helsinki Final Act as well as the 1990 Charter of Paris.” The three General Committees met in joint The French and Russian presentations were session on 20 February for a Special Debate on followed by a lively debate with some Delegates proposals for a new European security architec- embracing President Medvedev’s proposal and ture. The debate, involving prominent speakers others reacting coolly to it. There were calls from Russia and France and almost 50 parliamen- for closer and more genuine co-operation and tarians, took place as a follow-up on recent ini- enhanced debate, including with the Russian tiatives by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev partners. Several Members pointed out that the and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for new Russian proposal could serve as a stimulus for European security arrangements. future negotiations and disarmament efforts, as “We need a fresh approach,” stated Alexan- well as alleviation of East-West tensions. der Groushko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Others argued that before negotiations on Russian Federation, one of the two main speak- European security could be launched, mutual ers. The other, Veronique Bujon-Barre, Deputy confi dence should be re-established and “frozen” Director for Political and Security Affairs in the confl icts solved. Concerns were raised over the French Foreign Ministry, talked about a new possibility of jeopardizing existing structures “crisis of trust in Europe” and the “need to re- and for the need to value agreements already in establish that lost trust.” place. It was widely agreed that the OSCE is the Mr. Groushko highlighted “the growing dis- best forum for this discussion to continue with satisfaction with the state of security in the many Delegates insisting that the OSCE’s com- Euro-Atlantic region” and noted that “more and prehensive approach to security be maintained. more voices [are] calling for a readjustment of It was also stressed that security standards in the entire Euro-Atlantic security architecture in the OSCE region are indivisible. Furthermore, all its principal aspects.” He acknowledged that the need for binding commitments concerning there are “different points of view as to how we OSCE agreements was expressed. should move forward” but pointed out that “the purpose of dialogue [is] to seek and fi nd points Presentation on the Preparations for the of convergence.” He expressed the willingness Kazakh Chairmanship of the OSCE of the Russian Federation “to do just that.” Ms. Bujon-Barre emphasized “that any dis- The security debate was followed by a spe- cussion on the renewal and the improvement cial presentation on Kazakhstan’s preparations of security on our continent has to be done in for its OSCE Chairmanship in 2010. In a pres- respect to principles on which European secu- entation entitled “Path to Europe,” the Head of rity is currently based: the transatlantic bond, the Kazakh Delegation, OSCE PA Vice-Presi- the preservation of existing institutions (NATO, dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, outlined in detail OSCE, EU), a comprehensive view of security Kazakhstan’s priorities for political and eco- including the political and military dimensions nomic reforms. 16 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Second Joint Session of the General Committees

17 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Closing Joint Session of the General Committees

n the closing session, the three General Com- participating States have some form of gender Imittees heard a report by the Special Repre- quotas in place, she said. Some of these quotas sentative on Gender Issues, Tone Tingsgaard, are constitutional, some are legislative while and a special presentation on “Piracy as a New others are party-based. She stressed that quotas Security Threat” by Panos Kammenos, who alone are not suffi cient and that working condi- serves as Vice Minister of Mercantile Marine, tions must also be examined in order to ensure Aegean & Island Policy in the Greek Govern- that women have equal opportunity to engage in ment. parliamentary work. Finally, the Special Representative observed Report by the OSCE PA Special that some OSCE PA Delegations were com- Representative on Gender Issues, posed solely of men and announced that she Tone Tingsgaard has proposed a change to the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure that seeks to alter this imbalance. In her report, Tone Tingsgaard reminded Specifi cally, her proposed rule would restrict Delegations of UN Security Council Resolu- the voting rights of Delegations made up exclu- tion 1325, which highlights the impact of war sively of one gender. on women as well as women’s contributions The fact that a decision had been made to to confl ict resolution. Calling it a “cornerstone pass the proposal on to the Rules Committee for document,” Ms. Tingsgaard appealed to all par- examination indicates that the Parliamentary ticipating States to put Resolution 1325 into Assembly remains dedicated to gender issues, practice. Ms. Tingsgaard said. Ms. Tingsgaard also pointed out that far fewer During the debate, one delegate described women than men receive seconded positions how maternal mortality is a serious humanitar- within the OSCE and encouraged the Delega- ian issue, saying that roughly 1,500 women die tions to take measures in order to ensure that daily during complications while giving birth. this imbalance is addressed. Furthermore, she She also pointed out that most of these deaths emphasized the necessity for the OSCE Gender have taken place in the developing world. She Action Plan to be properly implemented. After expressed her intention to put forward a Supple- all, Ms. Tingsgaard pointed out, all of the OSCE mentary Item on this topic in Vilnius. Institutions are headed by men and only two Another Delegate spoke in favour of the fi eld operations are led by women. essence of Ms. Tingsgaard’s quota proposal, but “Women’s under-representation is not just a pointed out that every effort had been made to problem for women,” she said. “It is a challenge include women MPs in his national Delegation to the most fundamental principle of democ- but with no success. He said that he hoped a racy.” workable compromise might be possible in the This is one of the main reasons that most Rules Committee. 18 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Closing Joint Session of the General Committees

Special Presentation by of humanitarian aid to Somalia, for instance by Panos Kammenos, Vice Minister of Mercan- the World Food Progamme. Impeded humani- tile Marine, Aegean and Island Policy tarian aid could result in fl ows of starving refu- gees trying to leave the country and will bring The presentation by Panos Kammenos dealt economic instability to neighbouring States as with the relatively new phenomenon of piracy well as an increase in illegal immigration to as a security threat, a subject of vital impor- Europe. tance for the security of international naviga- The proliferation of incidents during the last tion. two years has led a number of international Since 1991, Mr. Kammenos explained, the bodies and organizations to sound the alarm. unstable political situation in Somalia, as well In particular the Council of the International as its civil wars and endemic poverty, have Maritime Organization has been aggressively driven the country and its population into confronting the issue. The United Nations social and economic misery. Security Council has also adopted a number of The dysfunctional nature of Somalia’s gov- resolutions to address the problem. ernment has opened doors for exploitation and scavenging of its maritime resources. Hundreds Reports by the Chairs of the Three General of fi shing vessels from all over the world came Committees and Concluding Statement by to operate illegally in the territorial waters of the President of the OSCE PA Somalia. These conditions facilitated the occurrence of The Eighth Winter Meeting of the OSCE PA pirate groups that are highly familiar with in the was brought to a close with brief remarks by the waters around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Chairs of the three General Committees, who They are experienced in warfare and possess the summarized for the Joint Session the delibera- necessary weaponry to attack at sea. tions that took place in their respective Com- In 2008, Mr. Kammenos reported, 293 inci- mittees. Emphasis was placed on the plans of dents of piracy had been recorded internation- the Committee Rapporteurs in preparation for ally and another 111 incidents recorded around the upcoming Annual Session, which this year the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden. takes place in Vilnius, Lithuania from 29 June The consequences of piracy are far-reaching to 3 July. and have effects on different levels. The risk OSCE PA President Joao Soares thanked from piracy could harm important commer- all Delegations for participating in the Winter cial routes that link the Mediterannean and the Meeting. He also gave special thanks to the Atlantic Ocean with the Arabian Sea, the Per- OSCE Secretariat and the interpreters for the sian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Another impor- invaluable support they provided to the Assem- tant impact could be on the timely expedition bly in holding the meeting. 19 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

20 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

21 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

22 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

PROGRAMME OF THE EIGHTH WINTER MEETING OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Vienna, 19 – 20 February 2009

Thursday, 19 February 09.00-11.30 Standing Committee Meeting (Ratsaal, 5th floor) 11.45-13.00 Joint Session of the three General Committees: (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor) Call to Order by the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. João Soares - Opening Remarks by the President of the Austrian Nationalrat, Ms. Barbara Prammer - Remarks by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. John Tanner - Address by the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. João Soares - Address by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis, followed by a question/answer session 13.00-15.30 Lunch break 15.30-18.00 General Committee on Political Affairs and Security (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor) 15.30-18.00 General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, technology and Environment (Ratsaal, 5th floor) 18:15 Departure of buses from Hofburg to the Austrian Parliament 18.30 Reception offered by the Austrian Parliament (Austrian Nationalrat)

Friday, 20 February 09.00-12.00 Joint Session of the three General Committees: (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor) 09.00-11.00 Special Debate on proposals for a new European Security Architecture 11.00-11.15 Coffee Break 11.15-12.00 Special Presentation on the Preparations for the Kazakhstan Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 12:00 Reception offered by the Delegation of Kazakhstan (Grosser Redoutensaal) 13.30-16.00 General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor) 16.00-16.30 Closing Joint Session of the three General Committees (Neuer Saal 2nd floor) - Report by the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues Ms. Tone Tingsgaard, followed by a debate - “Piracy As a New Security Threat" Special Presentation by Mr. Panos Kammenos, Vice Minister of Mercantile Marine, Aegean & Island Policy, Greece - Reports by the Chairs of the three General Committees - Concluding statement by the President of the OSCE PA

23 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

Van.couver Vladivostok .

Philippe Nobile

The OSCE PA International Secretariat provides administrative support for the Assembly in its various activities. The Secretariat organizes the meetings of the Assembly, and provides support for election observation projects, special missions and Presidential activities. Its work is carried out in co-operation with other OSCE Institutions and international parliamentary organizations. The Secretariat, which is hosted by the Danish Parliament, is headed by Secretary General Spencer Oliver, and has a permanent staff of 16, including two staff members at the liason offi ce in Vienna. Secretary General Spencer Oliver

Deputy Secretary Deputy Secretary Special Presidential Director of General General Representative Advisor Communications Tina Schøn Gustavo Pallares Andreas Nothelle Andreas Baker Klas Bergman

Assistant to the Liaison Offi cer Programme Senior Counsellor Logistics Offi cer Secretary General Marc Carillet Offi cer Semyon Dzakhaev Petra Jezkova Dana Bjerregaard Anna Chernova

Conference Administrative Senior Secretary Research / Publi- IT-Supporter Co-ordinator Director Connie Mathiesen cations Offi cer Stephen Paul 24 Odile LeLarge Kurt Lerras Nat Parry 2009 Winter Meeting  Vienna, Austria

VVancouveran.couver VVladivostokladivostok .

he OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is the parliamentary dimension of the TOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, whose 56 participat- ing States span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.

The primary task of the 320 member Assembly is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue, an important aspect of the overall effort to meet the challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area. Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, the OSCE is a primary instrument for early warning, confl ict prevention, crisis man- agement and post-confl ict rehabilitation in its area. The Parliamentary Assembly, originally established by the 1990 Paris Summit to promote greater involvement in the OSCE by na- tional parliaments, has grown into a very active and esteemed member of the OSCE family.

The basic objectives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly are:

• To assess the implementation of OSCE objectives by participating States;

• To discuss subjects addressed during meetings of the Ministerial Council and the summits of Heads of State or Government;

• To develop and promote mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of confl icts;

• To support the strengthening and consolidation of democratic institutions in OSCE partici- pating States;

• To contribute to the development of OSCE institutional structures and of relations between existing OSCE Institutions.

To pursue these objectives, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly employs a variety of means:

• A Final Declaration and a number of resolutions and recommendations are adopted each year at the Annual Session in July;

• Committee work addresses important contemporary international issues;

• Programmes and Seminars designed to develop and strengthen democracy including an extensive election observation programme;

• Special parliamentary missions to areas of latent or active crisis.

25 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly International Secretariat Radhusstraede 1 1466 Copenhagen K Denmark Telephone: +45 33 37 80 40 Telefax: +45 33 37 80 30 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.oscepa.org