Mr. Chairperson,

The Delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes Margareta Cederffelt, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, back to the Permanent Council.

We appreciate the strong support expressed by President Cederfelt for Ukraine and its people in face of the ongoing russia’s war of aggression.

Dear colleagues, 

In July 2022, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted an important resolution entitled "The russian federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its people, and its threat to security across the OSCE region".

The message of the Assembly was strong and clear - the unprovoked russian war of aggression against Ukraine, facilitated by Belarus as co-aggressor, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamentals of international law, including a severe breach of the OSCE’s commitments and principles, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Geneva Conventions, and thus poses a great threat to the civilian population and infrastructure of Ukraine and jeopardizes the security architecture of Europe and the whole OSCE region.

The same resolution contains no less important provisions regarding concrete steps to be taken by the Assembly in order to bring to political accountability the OSCE parliamentary delegation of any State violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another State.

Since then, an enormous work has been done by the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Working Practices and its Chair Pascal Allizard. Thanks to their dedicated efforts the OSCE PA has on its table, since November 2022, a comprehensive text, which needs to be adopted.

Madam President,

Addressing the enormous security and humanitarian challenges of russia’s war requires OSCE PA’s hard work, leadership and determination to defend the principles and values on which our Organization is based.

Powerful political statements are a very important and influential tool for such a necessary pressure on a State that violates the principles and commitments of the OSCE.

But there always comes a day when words alone are not enough.

Instead, actions are required.

Such a moment has come for the Parliamentary Assembly - a moment that necessitates urgent and decisive action in order to confirm that the Assembly plays an important role in the European parliamentary architecture.

It is time for everyone to understand that the lack of practical reaction within the OSCE for gross violations of our common commitments will never and under no circumstances contribute to dialogue.

But on the contrary, it encourages the violator to new, more and more grave violations.

Madam President, 

In times when the present and future of the security order in Europe is at stake, it is of utmost importance to break the vicious circle of russia’s impunity and make aggressor understand that the accountability is inevitable.

That’s why the time has come for the OSCE PA to say “No” to the war of aggression in the 21^st century; to say “No” to mass atrocities and war crimes; to say “No” to future Buchas, Irpins, Izyums, Mariupols and Dnipros.

To say “No” with Assembly’s concrete and meaningful deeds.

Madam President,

We rely on your leadership, wisdom and determination during this difficult time for the Assembly. We are convinced, that under your able steering, this OSCE body can succeed with honor and dignity.

Ukraine stands ready to support you in your efforts aimed at ensuring that the OSCE PA continues to defend the OSCE principles and commitments, including those enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.