He made the remarks at the opening of the 25th annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi July 1.
Steinmeier spoke about the recent escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as well as the Ukrainian crisis and protracted conflicts in Georgia.
Addressing the event, David Usupashvili, chairman of the Georgian parliament, recalled that 25 years back, on 9 April, an act was adopted on Georgia’s independence.
“The OSCE PA was created 25 years ago. So we’re celebrating our jubilees like twins,” he said.
The parliament chairman noted that the past 25 years were not easy for Georgia.
Georgia President Giorgi Margvelashvili in his speech said they have been trying to plant democratic principles firmly.
In his turn, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili first mentioned the terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport, noting that mankind must fight terrorism.
“Georgia seeks peace worldwide. We’re trying to integrate into Europe, which is our best way to ensure security and which is backed by our citizens too. Integration into Europe means that Georgia will work together with civilized countries,” he said.
OSCE PA President Ikka Kanerva, condemning terror, said that a strategic plan on the fight against terrorism should be developed.
The event was also attended by PACE President Pedro Agramunt, speakers of the parliaments of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, experts, diplomats and representatives of international organizations.
Azerbaijan is represented by a delegation led by the parliament vice-speaker Bahar Muradova.
Negotiations within OSCE moving slowly - Steinmeier
01 July 2016
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Negotiations on the settlement of the ongoing conflicts are moving slowly within the OSCE Minsk Group, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Chief, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
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