Delivered by Ambassador Ihor Prokopchuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, to the 1161st meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, 19 October 2017

Ukraine recognizes the importance of parliamentary diplomacy to uphold principles and commitments, enshrined, in particular, in the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter, and to promote the values of peace and democracy. Members of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine actively participate in the Assembly’s meetings and initiated or co-sponsored a number of Resolutions. We are pleased to note that the Head of the Ukrainian delegation Mr.Artur Gerasymov was re-elected this year as Vice-Chair of the OSCE PA General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment.

This year’s OSCE PA Resolution “Restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, adopted at the annual session held in Minsk (Belarus), underscored the validity of provisions of previous Assembly’s Resolutions that were ignored by Russia and clearly articulated the Assembly’s condemnation of ongoing violations committed by the Russian Federation in Donbas and Crimea.

Given the gravity of the violations and taking into account the response of the OSCE PA, formulated in its Resolutions and Declarations, we encourage the Assembly and its respective General Committees to put high on the agenda the issue of prompt and full implementation of the provisions of the adopted OSCE PA Resolutions. Russia’s breach of its international obligations and commitments and disrespect for the position of the OSCE democratic community remains the biggest threat to security in Europe and continues to fuel the conflict started by Russia.

We support the enhanced efforts of the Parliamentary Assembly in countering terrorism as a significant threat to the OSCE participating States. This threat constantly evolves taking up new forms and manifestations. An aspect of particular concern and tragic repercussions for my country is state-sponsored terrorism. Early this year Ukraine submitted a case to the UN Court of Justice on violation by the Russian Federation of the International Convention on the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. In April the Court confirmed the existence of the dispute and will continue to consider the case on its merits.

For more detailed information http://mfa.gov.ua/en/news-feeds/foreign-offices-news/60589-zajava-delegaciji-ukrajini-u-vidpovidy-na-zvernennya-prezidenta-pa-obse-kristin-muttonen.