UK Chargé d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassador James Ford, thanks the
President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for his strong and
effective stance in supporting Ukraine, and unequivocally
condemning Russia's aggression.
"Mr President, welcome back to the Permanent Council. It has been
nearly five months since your inaugural address as President of
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and in that time, the deep
challenges facing our region have continued – most significantly,
of course, Russia's war against Ukraine.
The UK is a firm supporter of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly,
and particularly of the strong and effective stance it has taken
in supporting Ukraine. Thank you, Mr President, for your personal
focus on supporting Ukraine and its people – including throughout
this winter as Russia's barbaric attacks continue unabated,
causing significant damage to critical civilian infrastructure
and severe humanitarian consequences. We are grateful to you for
unequivocally condemning Russian aggression and for your
consistent support for Ukraine in its efforts to secure a just
peace.
The UK remains and will remain a steadfast supporter of Ukraine.
We are pleased to see that stance strengthened in the OSCE PA by
your appointment of the UK Parliament's Head of Delegation MP as Chair of the OSCE PA
Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine.
Beyond Ukraine, we reiterate our support for the OSCE PA's vital
work in protecting and promoting democracy, human rights and
fundamental freedoms across the OSCE region, not least through
the Parliamentary Assembly's contribution to OSCE election
monitoring missions.
The UK looks forward to another year of close collaboration with
the OSCE PA across the breadth of our shared agenda.
Thank you."
