Statement In Reply to the President of the OSCE PA, Christine Muttonen delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the 1161th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

19 October, 2017

Statement

In Reply to the President of the OSCE PA, Christine Muttonen

delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the 1161th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to warmly welcome the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ms. Christine Muttonen back to the Permanent Council and thank her for her vision on the role of the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly in strengthening security and dialogue in our region.

Armenia values the role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as a forum for dialogue between representatives of peoples in the entire OSCE area, which may supplement and reinforce the activities of the OSCE participating States and OSCE Secretariat and Institutions.

We appreciate continued cooperation of the OSCE PA with ODIHR in election observation which was also manifested at the April 6 Parliamentary elections in Armenia.

We have noticed your particular interest towards structured dialogue as a first step towards overcoming current impasse in the European security. We think that strong adherence to all OSCE principles and commitments without selective approach can create conducive environment for moving forward and the parliamentarians may lead us by their example through adopting resolutions in line with Helsinki Final Act.

In this context we appreciate the stance of PA for respect and realization of the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons living in conflict zones which reaffirms again that OSCE principles and commitments should be realized elsewhere in the OSCE region without any exclusion

Inclusive approach is essential in any sensitive and complex environment. Initiatives to apply parliamentary diplomacy tools, including organizing discussions with parties to the conflicts may be valuable if they are of inclusive nature, involving all elected representatives of peoples.

Let us recall that the efforts of Parliamentarians to cease military hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area put forward by Bishkek protocol had been highly instrumental in preparing ground for ceasefire.

We took positive note of messages on peace and needs of people affected by conflicts coming from your Special Representative Mr. Kristian Vigenin during his recent trip to the region. We regret that he was not able to visit Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area. However, we welcome his meetings with all parties who signed Bishkek protocol and agree that increased contacts among parliamentarians is important in the region.

Madam President,

We took note of your reference to the OSEC field missions as essential undertaking which may develop culture of dialogue and cooperation. Unfortunately, field offices themselves can become victims of culture of conflict perceptions. We believe that there are few bridges in the OSCE area and each of them should be cherished in this uneasy time of distrust and confrontation.

We sincere wish to see Parliamentary Assembly as one of those bridges and we thank you for your able leadership in this regard.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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