Standing Committee
The Standing Committee consists of Heads of National Delegations to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and the Members of the Bureau.
The Standing Committee and the Bureau prepare the work of the Assembly between sessions, and ensure the efficient operation of the Assembly.
Standing Committee meeting in Vilnius, June 2009
OSCE PA President Joao Soares opened the Standing Committee on 29 June -- the first day of the 18th Annual Session -- with a brief report of the Assembly’s activities over the past year including his trip to Central Asia and the Dublin Economic Conference. He acknowledged the presence of several members of parliament from Afghanistan and mentioned his desire to strengthen that relationship.
Following President Soares, OSCE PA Treasurer Hans Raidel reported on the current budget situation and answered related questions. The budget for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year was approved unanimously.
Standing Committee meeting in Vienna, February 2009
President Joao Soares opened the meeting of the Standing Committee on 19 February and informed of his activities since being elected President at the Annual Session in Astana.
Mr. Soares noted that during his Presidency the Assembly has been serving as a forum for open debate on the most important issues facing the OSCE region, such as the crisis in Georgia (which was debated during the Fall Meetings in September 2008), proposals for a new European security architecture (which would be discussed the next day, during the Winter Meeting’s Special Debate), and the world financial crisis (which would be the topic of the PA’s Economic Conference in May 2009).
Standing Committee meeting in Toronto, September 2008
President Joao Soares presided over the Standing Committee meeting on 21 September. The Heads of Delegations were welcomed by Senator Consiglio Di Nino, Vice-Chair of the First Committee and Head of the Canadian Delegation.In his report, the President highlighted the important contribution that the Assembly had made in holding a debate dedicated to the crisis in Georgia the previous day and noted that he intended to continue promoting focused topical debates during Assembly meetings.
Standing Committee meeting in Astana, June 2008
President Goran Lenmarker opened the meeting of the Standing Committee and proposed the agenda, which was adopted without objection.
He informed the Committee of the Presidential visits he made during his mandate: to Canada, Iceland, Cyprus, Morocco and Tunisia, and Afghanistan.
Standing Committee meeting in Vienna, February 2008
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Goran Lennmarker opened the meeting of the Standing Committee of Heads of Delegation and informed Members about his activities since the Committee last met in Portoroz, Slovenia. He highlighted his recent visits to Algeria, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, his participation the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Madrid and his leadership in the Russian parliamentary elections.
Standing Committee meeting in Kyiv, July 2007
OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker welcomed the Heads of Delegations to the Standing Committee. He provided an overview of some of the work of the Assembly during the past year, including his own visits to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Moldova. Senator Jerry Grafstein, in his final report as Assembly Treasurer, reported that the Assembly’s finances continue to be in excellent order. Several delegates took the floor to praise the excellent work he has done in overseeing the finances of the Assembly, and the Standing Committee unanimously approved the budget for the coming year. Secretary General Spencer Oliver presented his report on the activities of the Assembly and the Secretariat, in what had been an extremely busy and successful year.
Standing Committee meeting in Vienna, February 2007
Prior to the opening of the Winter Meeting, the Standing Committee of Heads of Delegations met under the chairmanship of OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker. Mr. Lennmarker reminded the Members of his priorities, including strengthening the role of the Parliamentary Assembly as an OSCE Institution; providing assistance to the OSCE in helping to resolve remaining con. icts in the region; strengthening respect for human rights; and strengthening the OSCE’s election observation work.
Standing Committee meeting in Malta, November 2006
The Standing Committee of Heads of Delegations was opened by PA President Göran Lennmarker in Malta on 18 November 2006. In his first address to the Standing Committee since being elected, Lennmarker thanked his predecessor, Alcee L. Hastings, for his strong leadership of the Assembly over two years. The President also outlined his priority objectives as President, including strengthening the role of the Assembly, supporting the OSCE in helping to solve remaining conflicts, and strengthening OSCE election observation activities.
Standing Committee Meeting in Washington DC, July 1 2005
OSCE PA President Alcee L. Hastings welcomed the Heads of Delegations to the meeting of the Standing Committee, and gave a short outline of his and of the Assembly's activities since February, when the Standing Committee last met. Congressman Hastings told Members that he had conveyed the OSCE PA report on the colloquium on The Future of the OSCE to the Chairman-in-Office. This report underlined that the crisis in the OSCE is primarily political in nature. President Hastings stated that he hoped to continue providing leadership for election observation, strengthening dialogue between parliamentarians, and increasing co-operation with the OSCE governmental dimension.
Standing Committee meeting in Vienna, February 2006
The Standing Committee of Heads of OSCE PA Delegations met prior to the official opening of the Winter Meeting. The Heads of Delegations were wel
comed by the President of the Austrian Nationalrat, Dr. Andreas Khol, who encouraged the idea for the OSCE PA to have a special parliamentary debate on the issue of freedom of expression following the recent publication of politically sensitive cartoons in some newspapers. He called upon all participating States to continue to uphold the freedom of expression, which must be linked with due respect for religious symbols.