OSCE Permanent Council No. 1550 Vienna, 22 January 2026
1. The European Union warmly welcomes Mr. Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, back to the OSCE Permanent Council. We value the continued contribution of the Parliamentary Assembly to the Organisation’s work, and the constructive interaction between the parliamentary and governmental sides of the OSCE.
2. As highlighted during the discussions marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, including the Parliamentary Conference “The OSCE at 50: Revitalizing Multilateralism through Dialogue and Co-operation” held at the autumn session in Türkiye, the Helsinki principles remain valid and indispensable to achieving peace, security, and democratic development in our region.
Mr. President,
3. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause immense suffering and massive destruction. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace grounded in international law and the principles of the UN Charter. We reiterate our call for accountability for all international crimes and human rights violations. In this context, we appreciate the Parliamentary Assembly’s resolute support for Ukraine, including your public statements, as well those of the PA Secretary General and PA’s Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine. We welcome the appointment of the Special Envoy on Russian Abductions and Deportations of Ukrainian Children in October 2025 and her commitment to stepping up the OSCE PA’s engagement in the efforts to ensure an immediate and safe return of all the children to Ukraine.
4. Conflicts linger unresolved in our region and appropriate attention should be devoted to them. The EU reiterates its unwavering support and commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia within their internationally recognised borders.
5. We welcome the Parliamentary Assembly’s focus on pressing security challenges and its engagement on humanitarian issues and human rights, gender equality, fight against organized crime and corruption, environment and climate change and digital threats. In light of democratic backsliding, human rights violations and shrinking space for civil society in many parts of the OSCE area, as well as the connection between internal repression and external aggression, efforts to honour our commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms are essential.
Mr. President,
6. Election observation is a valuable tool for promoting democratisation and respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights across our region. We appreciate the Parliamentary Assembly’s continued participation in election observation activities, which showcases the synergies within the Organisation. As indicate in the recent report on election observation activities for 2025, 292 observers from the OSCE PA took part in observation missions, promoting democratic standards and transparency. We share many of the concerns listed in the report regarding identified trends, including over foreign interference in electoral processes.
7. We reaffirm our full support for the ODIHR election observation methodology and commend the independent, impartial and professional manner in which it is implemented by the Parliamentary Assembly in partnership with ODIHR. At the same time, we underline the importance of timely invitations and full cooperation from all participating States to ensure meaningful observation missions.
8. We welcome other areas of close engagement between OSCE PA and ODIHR and encourage continued cooperation to strengthen democratic processes across the OSCE region.
Mr. President,
9. The European Union wishes you every success in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to you by the members of the Parliamentary Assembly. We count on your continued leadership and engagement to further strengthen parliamentary contribution to the work of the OSCE and to advance peace and security.
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Ukraine aligns themselves with this statement.