The 24th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly started with the meeting of the Standing Committee, when the new Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly has been elected, and the budget for 2015/2016 set.

During the meeting of the Standing Committee, the participants discussed the absence of the Russian Delegation, based on the proposal of the EU member states, assessing that it had not been in the spirt of parliamentary dialogue, and that the attendance of the Russian Delegation was necessary for consideration of the pressing security issues.

Mr Roberto Montella has been elected new OSCE PA Secretary General by two-thirds majority. Mr Montella thanked for the support, stressing that he was aware of how demanding the position of Secretary General was, also voicing readiness to continue with activities directed towards finding the responses to challenges in front of the OSCE region. Mr Montella voiced gratitude to OSCE PA President Emeritus and President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ranko Krivokapić for the contribution and help in conducting activities towards strengthening the OSCE PA. Current Secretary General Mr Spenser Oliver in his speech also stressed that the President Krivokapić has set foundation, initiated and given a new strength to Helsinki +40 process, adding that he was particularly grateful for that.

Today’s plenary session was focused on the Helsinki +40 process, i.e. the importance of the anniversary of signing the Final Helsinki Act, being the articulation of innovative and comprehensive security concept. . At the session, bringing together more than 300 parliamentarians from the OSCE region, it was emphasised that the future of the OSCE depended on preservation of Helsinki principles, mirroring the existence of political will, devotion to dialogue and compromise, and building of trust and joint action towards addressing challenges in the field covered by the OSCE.

At the meetings of committees, parliamentarians considered resolutions to be a subject of voting of the last day of session as a part of the Joint Declaration, related to the issues of security and human rights as well as economy and protection of environment.

Vice President of the Parliament Mr Milutin Simović and MP Mr Goran Danilović are also participating in the Session.