09.07.2013
Support against OSCE PA resolutions on Belarus rising
MINSK, 9 July (BelTA) – Representatives of eleven countries voted against including a resolution on Belarus into the Istanbul Declaration, which was adopted by the 22nd annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The information was released by Viktor Guminsky, head of the Belarus parliament delegation at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, on 9 July, BelTA has learned.
“During voting on the Istanbul Declaration representatives of 11 countries supported us. The number was considerably larger in comparison with previous sessions. The number included Armenia, Azerbaijan, Greece, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, and Czechia. Representatives of five nations, for example, Canada, Italy, abstained from voting,” said Viktor Guminsky.
The parliamentarian underlined that no criticism of Belarus was voiced during unofficial meetings held during the session, contrariwise, the country’s stance was approved of. “Nobody is going to force us or rule us. The stance was supported during bilateral meetings out of public view,” said Viktor Guminsky.
Swedish parliamentarian Christian Holm was the one to introduce the resolution on Belarus during the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. According to Viktor Guminsky, the Swedish MP was unable to coherently explain why the resolution was needed.
Resolutions on Belarus have been submitted for consideration of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for three years in a row already. The resolutions differ from each other only in the arrangement of paragraphs, stated the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.
“During voting on the Istanbul Declaration representatives of 11 countries supported us. The number was considerably larger in comparison with previous sessions. The number included Armenia, Azerbaijan, Greece, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, France, and Czechia. Representatives of five nations, for example, Canada, Italy, abstained from voting,” said Viktor Guminsky.
The parliamentarian underlined that no criticism of Belarus was voiced during unofficial meetings held during the session, contrariwise, the country’s stance was approved of. “Nobody is going to force us or rule us. The stance was supported during bilateral meetings out of public view,” said Viktor Guminsky.
Swedish parliamentarian Christian Holm was the one to introduce the resolution on Belarus during the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. According to Viktor Guminsky, the Swedish MP was unable to coherently explain why the resolution was needed.
Resolutions on Belarus have been submitted for consideration of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for three years in a row already. The resolutions differ from each other only in the arrangement of paragraphs, stated the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.