This year’s Winter Meeting started with the extraordinary session of the Bureau, where President Emeritus Mr Ranko Krivokopić participated, with the aim of considering the legitimacy of a decision on participation of a member of the standing delegation of the Russian Federation to the Parliamentary Assembly originating from Crimea. Lead by the principle of international recognition of Crimea as a part of Ukrainian territory, but also by the fact that the Delegation member was not elected Member of Russian Duma, the Bureau unanimously reached a decision that a member of the Russian Federation could not participate in the further work of the Parliamentary Assembly in the said capacity.

In the second part of the day, OSCE PA Mediterranean Forum was held, focused on issues of common interest for countries belonging to the Mediterranean Sea. With regard to that, this year’s topic of the Forum, chaired by OSCE PA Vice President Ms Isabel Pozuelo (Spain), dealt with security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region, and participants agreed that it was necessary to nourish values of the gathering with regard to fight against terrorism, trafficking in human beings and improving energy efficiency and gender equality.   

During the joint session of committees, chaired by OSCE PA Vice President Ms Christine Muttonen, Chairperson-in-Office of the Permanent Council of the OSCE Mr Ivica Dačić said that the most important topics within the chairmanship would be peaceful solving of the current crises in the fields covered by the OSCE, promotion of prosperity, solidarity and building of trust among states. In view of the Ukrainian crisis, the attention was drawn to respect of the Minsk Agreement, by which the OSCE took an obligation of withdrawing the heavy weapons, releasing prisoners according to the principle 'all for all', providing media freedom and safe holding of elections. ODIHR Director Mr Mihael Georg Link said that this year’s budget envisaged activities of observer missions at all elections planned during 2015, and invited member states to accept the invitation to participate and give their contribution.

Additionally, sessions of three committees were held today, where issues of transatlantic treats were considered as well as media freedom and rights of refugees, and energy safety and protection of protection of environment.  

A second joint session of committees is expected tomorrow, which will be preceded by a session of the Standing Committee, whereat the current Ukrainian crisis will be discussed and OSCE response in that field.

OSCE PA President Emeritus Mr Ranko Krivokapić is participating in this year’s Winter Session as well as permanent members of the Delegation – Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Milutin Simović and MP Mr Goran Danilović.