By Anatoly Lipetsky: In the next few days Minsk will be hosting the 26th summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Hundreds of delegates from 57 countries are already arriving in the Belarusian capital. The choice of Minsk as the venue for the OSCE PA annual session is considered by many experts as the recognition of Belarus' contribution to ensuring security and consolidating peace and stability in Europe.
The 26th session will be focusing on enhancing mutual trust and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the OSCE region.
Active work on preventing conflicts and eliminating their consequences and resolving crisis situations involves 57 countries and cooperation partners. All the OSCE member states have equal status, with decisions made by consensus.
The large-scale forum in Minsk is an extremely important event both for the organization itself and for Belarus, involving operating venues, simultaneous translation into six official languages and many other aspects. Demonstrating commitment to the dialogue and ensuring a secure, comfortable and businesslike environment means consolidating the state's position in the OSCE.
Belarus’ group is one of the most active in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly — a number of important declarations have been adopted at the country’s initiative. Its draft resolution on combating the emergence of new and the spread of existing psychoactive substances will be submitted for discussion at the upcoming summer session.
The forum is expected to result in the adoption of a Minsk declaration.
Adequately responding to challenges is impossible without mutual trust. Belarus will ensure proper conditions in accordance with the Assembly’s requirements for such events. The country is open to dialogue and cooperation, including in security.
