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On November 18, the Autumn Meeting of the OSCE PA took place in Yerevan.

At the Autumn Meeting the RA NA President Alen Simonyan gave a welcome speech.

The RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan touched upon the international and regional problems in his speech.

The OSCE PA President Pia Kauma also welcomed the participants and the guests of the Autumn Meeting of the OSCE PA. Highlighting the role of the establishment of peace and security in the OSCE region, Pia Kauma touched upon more than a hundred thousand Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh recently, noted that she heard their stories. The OSCE PA President noted that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of civilians.

“Sustainable peace and true security require trust and reconciliation. And that political leaders have a responsibility to lead the way,” the OSCE PA President said.

According to Pia Kauma, the history repeats, and the people living in the OSCE region should remember how half a century ago the countries consolidated for breaking the disastrous mechanism of hatred.

“Our Autumn Meeting is therefore a great opportunity to reflect on how the OSCE can find lasting solutions to challenges across our region,” the OSCE PA President Pia Kauma said, and among other issues, referred to the strengthening of state institutions, promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

After the start of the official Meeting of the Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Meeting with political direction was held, during which the rapporteurs related to the security situation existing in the OSCE region, as well as the role of the Parliamentary Assembly in responding the challenges.

Speaking about the role of the structure in the difficult political atmosphere, the OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid noted that thought the organization faces the challenges, the OSCE continues fulfilling its mandates and play a significant role in strengthening security for everybody.

During the last several years Armenia passed through abrupt changes, which form a new vision in the international arena on that role: The Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia noted. According to him, the democratization process continuously strengthens the Armenian state institutions and the make the Armenian society more enduring towards internal external challenges. Armen Grigoryan highly appreciated the OSCE continuous support in strengthening the democratic government in Armenia.

The rapporteur also touched upon the ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh. It was noted Armenia wishes peace in the region and steadfastly is faithful to the peace agenda.

After the Meeting an open discussion was held between the parliamentarians, during which the European MPs, speaking about the security in the OSCE region, mentioned that the undertaking of the security means is of great importance for the organization. It was underlined that in recent years the world has changed, the challenges have become a lot, and the organization should take steps for preventing them. The parliamentarians expressed concern the Armenians’ forcible displacement from Nagorno Karabakh, expressed support to those who suffered from aggression. The speakers noted that they support the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The preservation of the Armenian historical-cultural heritage in Nagorno Karabakh was highlighted.

The European delegates underscored that the aggression is not a right way, democracy has become vulnerable. According to them, right diplomacy and taking active steps is necessary. It was mentioned that the states implementing aggression should bear responsibility. It was also noted that the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Armenia are in danger. There were speeches aimed at the defense of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The participants welcomed and considered acceptable the project Crossroads of peace presented by the RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will continue on November 19.