President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Petros Efthymiou that the unique organization like the OSCE is needed because protracted conflicts and their consequences still effect the future of Europe, and because force is unfortunately still made use of.
“We also need this organization because internal strife and division in the OSCE area remains a grim reality and serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms remain commonplace. This organization is also needed because democratic development is uneven and at times even reverses; because climate change, illegal migration and technological advancement present us with new challenges and opportunities; and because instability also remains a problem in neighboring regions,” Efthymiou said in his address to the OSCE Summit in Astana.
“We need it to make a real difference, with its comprehensive, inclusive and indivisible concept of security. As a matter of fact, if the OSCE did not exist, we would have to invent it. It is clear that the process of revitalizing our Organization has only started –and the challenge at hand is analogous to the birth of our Organization, back in the 1970s. And must succeed. This challenging task will soon be taken on by the Lithuanian Chairmanship. We look forward to continuing our close work with Lithuania in the coming year, and the Parliamentary Assembly will continue to be a reliable and constructive partner,” he said.
