OSCE PA Standing Committee supports the draft resolution condemning Russia (UPDATED)

The Standing Committee of the OSCE PA has included an additional item and the draft resolution entitled "The obvious, gross and uncorrected violations of the Helsinki principles of the Russian Federation", proposed by the  American parliamentarian, Benjamin Cardin, in the agenda of the opening 23rd session held in Baku by  30 votes "for" and 5 votes  “against.”  The number of abstained delegations was not counted.

During the discussions, deputy head of the Russian delegation Alexei Pushkov opposed the issue. He argued that there was no invasion of Russia in Ukraine, and an invasion is  "typical" for U.S. foreign policy.  Pushkov also accused the OSCE of double standards and ignoring  the territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo case.)

The head of the Azeri delegation, Bahar  Muradova supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine, opposed the adoption of the draft resolution as proposed.

Muradova called  wrong  a selective approach to the territorial integrity of the OSCE participating States. Thus, Azerbaijan for 22 years raises a question about violation of its territorial integrity, but does not find adequate support.

She offered two choices  for  the question: American parliamentarian should finalize the draft resolution and to include items relating to conflicts in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova. Either remove the draft resolution from the agenda of  the 23rd session of the NATO, to finalize and submit to the next session.

However, the vast majority of panelists favored the inclusion this draft resolution in the agenda. Part of parliamentarians noted the possibility of amendments relating to other conflicts. Only the head of the Armenian delegation, Artashes Geghamyan, opposed. He also  complained that the speakers talking about the principle of territorial integrity, forget about the right of nations to self-determination. Geghamyan also stated that the adoption of the resolution could do  "harm" to the peace process in the East of Ukraine.

One of the initiators of the document Christopher Smith  agreed that the OSCE should pay particular attention to all conflicts, but now the situation in Ukraine requires immediate response and the world's attention is focused on the events taking place there.

On 1 July special hearings on Ukraine  will be held at the session of the OSCE PA.-06С-

2014 June 28 (Friday) 09:49:58

The agenda for the OSCE PA session  to be held  in Baku in June 28 offered an additional item and the draft resolution entitled "The obvious, gross and uncorrected violations of the Helsinki principles of the Russian Federation", the principal author of which is   Benjamin Cardin from the USA.

The project noted that the OSCE PA "condemns the obvious, gross and uncorrected violations of the Helsinki principles of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine, including a particularly egregious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this country."

The Assembly believes that " that the Crimea referendum held March 16, 2014 is   illegitimate and illegal act, the results of which have no legal force."

The draft calls on all OSCE countries to refuse to recognize the Russian annexation of the Crimea.

The draft resolution expresses regret for military intervention, carried out by the forces in Ukraine controlled by  Russia.

The document calls for Russia to “cease its interference in Ukraine, and bring their actions in relations with Ukraine and with all OSCE states in accordance with the Helsinki principles.”-06C -