Jevrosima Pejović, a member of the Special Caucus of MPs, has been elected Vice-Chair of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Assembly announced.
It is reported that in the continuation of the work of the 32nd annual session of the OSCE PA, which is being held in Porto, three general committees adopted resolutions prepared by rapporteurs.
It added that resolutions covering political, security, economic, environmental, humanitarian and human rights issues will be forwarded to the plenary for adoption, thus becoming an integral part of the Porto Declaration.
In the Committee on Political Affairs and Security, chaired by the former Vice-President Kostel Nekolaj Dunava (Romania), special attention was paid to the far-reaching security and political consequences of instability in the OSCE area.
Rapporteur Tobias Winkler (Germany) called for continued support for the affected communities in his presentation, and, as it is added, also referred to the worrying situation in the Middle East.
At the board meeting, Pejović was elected vice president of the board, winning the majority of votes over her opponent and current vice president, Costel Necolaj Dunavu from Romania.
In her address, Pejović pointed out the insufficient representation of representatives of the Western Balkan countries in the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly, and the lack of women and young people in leadership positions in the committee that deals with key political and security issues.
She, it is added, highlighting her professional experience as a psychologist and psychotherapist, as well as her previous engagement in the executive branch, emphasized that in her work she will advocate for open and inclusive dialogue, mutual understanding and consistent respect for the fundamental values of the OSCE.
Pejović highlighted "dialogue and facilitating dialogue" as her key principles, which, she said, will be her guide in future actions.
The Assembly said that Mark Vizi from the United States delegation was elected as the Chairman of the Committee by acclamation, and Tobias Winkler from Germany was appointed as the Rapporteur.
It is stated that the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, chaired by Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan), focused on economic resilience, climate security and technological transformation.
Rapporteur Paula Cardoso (Portugal) particularly highlighted the impact of climate change, water scarcity and climate-induced migration, stressing the need for international financing and accelerating the energy transition.
The Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, chaired by Lucie Potucková (Czech Republic), adopted its resolution after a debate on key challenges in the field of human rights.
Rapporteur Karina Odebrink (Sweden) welcomed the recent release of political prisoners in Belarus.
She also pointed out the enormous humanitarian cost of the war in Ukraine, as well as the need to protect civilians in Gaza and respect international humanitarian law.
At the plenary session, during the debate dedicated to the situation in the Middle East, the head of the Montenegrin delegation, Jelena Nedović, spoke.
She pointed out that the modern world too often witnesses a retreat from principles under pressure from global powers, warning that it is precisely in such circumstances that the role of international organizations and principled actors is of crucial importance.
Nedović emphasized the responsibility of the European Union to remain firmly committed to international law, human rights, and impartial, fact-based assessments if it wants to maintain its credibility as a force for peace and stability.
She stressed the need for a comprehensive, just and inclusive peace process, which will be conducted in the spirit of international law and true solidarity.
Nedović, it was added, appealed to all actors to refrain from further escalation, open space for dialogue, and place the protection of human life and dignity at the center of every political process.
"The Middle East deserves a future in which children grow up in safety, dignity and hope - where cultural and religious differences do not represent divisions, but resources for living together," said Nedović.
She said that peace, justice and stability in the Middle East are not exclusively a regional issue, but an inseparable part of collective security and the moral responsibility of the international community.
The PA, as announced, has already adopted several supplementary points, including Kyriakos Hadjiani's proposal "A Positive Agenda for Cooperation in the Western Balkans", which received strong support from MPs.
It is stated that this resolution affirmatively recognizes the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for stability, security and peace in Europe.
"It also confirms the region's European perspective as a key incentive for reform implementation, economic development, youth empowerment and regional stability, calling for the continuation of the merit-based enlargement process," the statement added.
Bonus video:
