Parliament

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from 7 to 11 July 2018 in Berlin

Ein Mann im Anzug steht am Rednerpult des Bundestages.
Vier Männer sitzen nebeneinander vor Fahnen.
Ein Mann im Anzug sitzt am Rednerpult des Plenarsaals.
Ein Mann im Anzug steht am Rednerpult im Plenarsaal des Reichstagsgebäudes.
Blick in den vollen Plenarsaal des Reichstagsgebäudes
Ein Mann im Anzug steht am Rednerpult im Plenarsaal des Reichstagsgebäudes

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President of the Parliamentary Assembly, George Tsereteli, during his speech (© DBT/Photothek/Inga Kjer)

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Olaf Scholz, George Tsereteli, Wolfgang Schäuble and Guglielmo Picchi in the Reichstag Building (© DBT/Photothek/Inga Kjer)

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President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, gives the opening address. (© DBT/Photothek/Inga Kjer)

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German Deputy Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his speech (© DBT/photothek.net)

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Opening Session of the 27th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (© DBT/Photothek/Inga Kjer)

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Guglielmo Picchi, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, during his speech (© DBT/Photothek/Inga Kjer)

Around 300 members from 57 participating countries have met on Saturday, 7 July, until Wednesday, 11 July 2018, for the 27th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Under the session’s general theme of  “Implementing OSCE commitments: The role of Parliaments”, the three General Committees focussing on Political Affairs and Security; Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment; and Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions prepared draft resolutions. The PA adopted the Berlin Declaration at the end of the session.

Standing Committee and Plenary Sessions

The Standing Committee of the OSCE PA first met on Saturday, 7 July, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. The inaugural session of the Parliamentary Assembly was held on Sunday, 8 July, at 9 a.m. and lasted three hours. After the attendees had been welcomed by the President of the OSCE PA, George Tsereteli of Georgia, Bundestag President Dr Wolfgang Schäuble gave the opening address. This was followed by speeches from Deputy Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Guglielmo Picchi.

The second plenary session started on Tuesday, 10 July, at 3 p.m. in the plenary chamber of the Reichstag Building and also lasted three hours. A third plenary session to conclude the Annual Session took place on Wednesday, 11 July, from 9 a.m. – 12 midday, during which, among other agenda points, the President and Vice-Presidents of the OSCE PA were elected.

General Committee meetings

In addition to the plenary and Standing Committee, the three General Committees of the OSCE PA have also met: the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security will gather on Sunday, 8 July, from 2 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.; on Monday, 9 July, from 9 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. and from 2.30 p.m. – 4 p.m.; and on Tuesday, 10 July, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment will meet on Sunday, 8 July, from 2 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.; on Monday, 9 July, from 9a.m. – 10.30 a.m. and from 2.30 p.m. – 4 p.m.; and on Tuesday, 10 July, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions came together on Sunday, 8 July, from 4 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.; on Monday, 9 July, from 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.; and on Tuesday, 10 July, from 11.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Further information and documents about the Annual Session can be accessed directly on the OSCE PA website (https://www.oscepa.org/). (Last updated: 11.07.2018)