Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) is the parliamentary dimension of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, whose primary task is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue to advance the OSCE's goals for comprehensive security.

The OSCE PA was established in 1991, following a call in the Paris Charter by the heads of state of the OSCE participating states to play a role in managing the historic change taking place in Europe, respond to the new challenges of the post-Cold War period, and be “the collective voice” of the participating states regarding security and co-operation in Europe, as well as the future of OSCE. 

The OSCE PA has 57 participating states. Its goals include conflict prevention with the aid of rapid response instruments, crisis resolution, and post-conflict stabilisation in the European region. The Organisation is committed to addressing polito-military, economic and environmental, and human rights issues.

The Latvian delegation of the OSCE PA includes five Members of the Latvian Parliament.

The work of the OSCE PA covers three main dimensions:

• the polito-military dimension, centred around arms control and measures to build mutual trust;
• the economic and environmental dimension, which includes promoting good governance, tackling corruption, and raising environmental awareness;
• the humanitarian dimension, which deals with strengthening the respect for human rights and a law-governed state.

Participation in this Organisation provides an opportunity for Latvia to defend its national interests by joining the discussion about the issues on the agenda, and to strengthen its role in international affairs.

The OSCE PA has three General Committees:

• the Committee on Political Affairs and Security;
• the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment;
• the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.

During its sessions, representatives of national parliaments of the OSCE PA participating states develop and adopt resolutions on political and security issues, democratisation, human rights, and other issues that fall under the OSCE’s competence. The resolutions advise the governments of the OSCE participating states on the measures to achieve compliance with the core values and principles of the OSCE.

MPs at the OSCE PA take active part in election observation missions to promote a free and fair democratic process, as well as to highlight the necessary improvements to the electoral procedure and processes.