The annual Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) was held in Vienna on February 20-21, shortly after talks between the United States and Russia about ending the war without involving Ukraine and Europe. A key theme was the changing geopolitical reality in the OSCE region.
More than 240 parliamentarians participated in the Winter Meeting. The Dutch delegation included Senate members Farah Karimi (delegation leader, GroenLinks-PvdA), Rian Vogels (VVD), Robert van Gasteren (BBB) and Boris Dittrich (D66) and House member Eric van der Burg (VVD). Discussions included the war in Ukraine, reports to be addressed at the annual meeting in Porto, political prisoners, press freedom, and demographic changes.
Many countries condemned the US governments statements about Ukraine and Russia during the Winter Meeting. OSCE PA President Pia Kauma reminded that the Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred three years ago, noting renewed efforts to end the war and emphasizing Ukraines central role in discussions about European security.
As parliamentarians, we must be vigilant against attempts to weaken our collective resolve, said Kauma. Our message must be clear: peace cannot come at the expense of justice. Stability cannot be achieved by rewarding aggression. Therefore, we must actively defend the principles of self-determination, territorial integrity, and the broader foundation of our security architecture.
The new OSCE Secretary-General, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, representative of the OSCE Chairmanship, spoke about the changing geopolitical reality in the OSCE region and emphasized the continued relevance of the OSCEs founding document, which since 1975 has laid the foundation for Euro-Atlantic security principles, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
On behalf of the entire delegation, Farah Karimi spoke during the debate on February 20: Not Washington, but we determine our future. We remain determined to support a free and independent Ukraine, which is crucial for our security and prosperity. Karimi also noted that decisions about Ukraine cannot be made without Ukraine, just as Europe cannot be discussed without Europe. Our values, security, and prosperity must not fall prey to brute power politics. Only through unity and determination can Europe remain strong, concluded Karimi.
During the Standing Committee meeting on February 21, Karimi asked President Kauma on behalf of the Dutch delegation if she was willing to issue a statement making it clear that there can be no peace without Ukraine or without Europe.
On February 21, special guest Vladimir Kara-Murza shared his experiences as a political prisoner in Russia and thanked the OSCE PA and the broader international community for their ongoing pressure for his release. According to Kara-Murza, the OSCEs goal of creating a space for peace, security, and democracy from Vancouver to Vladivostok seems further away than ever today. He said, referring to Russia: Where there is no democracy, there will be neither security nor peace.
Kara-Murza also discussed the plight of political prisoners in Russia, with the fastest-growing category being those who protested against the war in Ukraine. Any ceasefire in the war in Ukraine must provide for the release of all prisoners, including prisoners of war, Ukrainian civilian hostages, abducted Ukrainian children, and Russian political prisoners detained for their anti-war stance, said Kara-Murza.
This was followed by a debate on the priority challenges for European security. Rian Vogels noted that we are at a critical moment in history where the collective response will determine the future of Europe and beyond. The war in Ukraine is not just a conflict within borders - our shared values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity are being tested, said Vogels. She called for unity and cooperation: Its time for unity and to contribute what we can. We must not get lost in discussions about how Europe should be organized, said Vogels. She called for support for Ukraine wherever needed and to step up diplomatic efforts for a just and sustainable peace.
Boris Dittrich reflected on his recent visit with the OSCE PAs Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine (PSTU) to Kyiv, where shortly before arrival, a North Korean-made missile was fired at the parliament building. Its bizarre and unacceptable that North Korean soldiers are fighting on European soil against a European country, he said. During discussions in Kyiv, it was emphasized that Ukraine must not be discussed without Ukraine. Dittrich called for special attention for three OSCE officials who were imprisoned by Russia in 2022 and sentenced to long prison terms. We must do everything to free Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov as soon as possible, he said.
As a member of the ad hoc migration committee, Karimi participated in a meeting where developments in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the implications for Syrian refugees in the OSCE region were extensively discussed. Despite Assads departure, risks remain, according to experts. There are also political, social, and economic challenges. There are concerns about human rights violations in the prosecution of former members of the Assad regime.
The crisis is not over, experts noted. They called on countries hosting Syrian refugees to maintain the protection status of those in need and ensure that returns are voluntary. The importance of continued support to countries neighboring Syria, which host the majority of the 6 million refugees, was also discussed. Finally, experts pointed to the possibility of go and see visits to facilitate sustainable return.
Vogels attended a side event on February 20 about press freedom and elections, focusing on journalist safety, the impact of online abuse and disinformation, and the role of independent journalism. Dittrich was present at a side event on political prisoners where Kara-Murza highlighted the support he received from letters during his imprisonment and the importance of political prisoners knowing there is sustained attention for them.
As Special Representative for Central Asia, Karimi met with the permanent representatives to the OSCE from Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, and with OSCE officials from the Central Asia Desk. She also organized a meeting with the five delegations from Central Asian countries where follow-up activities were discussed, particularly regarding the implementation of the Bucharest Declaration. On the margins of the meeting, the delegation was received by the (temporary) permanent representative of the Netherlands to the OSCE, Suzanne de Groot.