DCSIMG

Statement on OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and ODIHR Cooperation

Political Counselor to the Permanent Council, Christopher Robinson

U.S. Mission to the OSCE - Vienna, Austria


2012-12-13

AS DELIVERED

The United States would like to express its appreciation for the Parliamentary Assembly’s efforts in connection with the recent parliamentary elections in Romania, and for its informative report.

We join the European Union and Norway, however, in expressing our regret at the Assembly’s statement in Dublin regarding its cooperation with ODIHR. While we recognize that there have been difficulties in implementing the 1997 Cooperation Agreement, ODIHR and the OSCE PA have collaborated productively in the field of election observation, helping to ensure that the OSCE is internationally known for the quality of its election observations.

Each entity brings unique qualifications and experience to the table; during the past year, we saw sterling examples of this cooperation in Ukraine, Belarus and Montenegro, to name a few. It is a partnership worth preserving.

We urge the Parliamentary Assembly and ODIHR to engage in constructive dialogue with one another to ensure this partnership continues.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.


 

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