Days two and three of this year’s Session of the OSCE PA in Tbilisi were marked by meetings of three general committees, with agendas covering general resolutions of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security, Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.

Mr Roger Wicker (USA), Chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security, said that eighty amendments submitted to the general resolution not only spoke on the interest and dedication of members to the issues from within the competency of this Committee, but also placed security issues in the centre of attention of the overall Session. The Committee’s resolution, presented by Ms Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden), was adopted with certain amendments of the proposed text, and the Committee meeting was marked by discussion on the Ukrainian crisis and prevention of spreading transnational terrorism.

Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment Ms Nilza Sena (Portugal) pointed out the significance of promoting economic cooperation and development of investments, as basis for general stability of the field covered by the OSCE. Speaking of economic aspect of resolving the current migration crisis, rapporteur of the Committee Ms Marietta Tidei (Italy) pointed out the significance of investing into the field of energy and industry in order to raise standards and increase economic development of countries of origin of migrants. By a majority of votes, members of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment adopted the general resolution.

At the meeting of the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, the Committee Chair Ms Isabel Santos (Portugal) announced her candidacy for the Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly, and the chairing of the meeting was overtaken by the Deputy Chairperson Ms Ivana Dobesova (Czech Republic), However, in the absence of the rapporteur of the Committee, Ms Santos presented the general resolution and concluded that the trust among the countries was crucial for development of democracy, and the readiness of countries to have a constructive dialogue is key in order to overcome challenges in the field of human rights. It was agreed at the meeting that the Committee members will meet tomorrow, before the Plenary Sitting, in order to harmonise the final wording of the resolution.

Three resolutions of the committees will be incorporated in the text of the Joint Declaration, whose adoption is anticipated at the end of the Session.

Participants in this year’s Session of the OSCE PA in Tbilisi are President of the Parliament of Montenegro and head of delegation Mr Darko Pajović and MPs Mr Branko Čavor and Mr Slaven Radunović.