caused, among other factors, by the insufficient attention paid to the region by its
European and transatlantic partners, as well as undue geopolitical interference in internal
political processes, which blocks the integration of countries into regional organizations
and impacts negatively on the building and functioning of democratic institutions,
thereby creating new risks of political and ethnic tensions,
16.
Stressing that corruption is a serious threat to peace,
17.
Regretting the failure of the international community to resolve the civil war in Syria,
now in its seventh year, a conflict that has caused untold human suffering and contributed
to the worst refugee crisis seen in Europe since the Second World War,
18.
Expressing concern about the humanitarian situation of the internally displaced persons
and refugees in the OSCE area who are continuously deprived of the right to voluntary,
safe, dignified and unhindered return to their places of origin, as well as the right to own
property,
19.
Regretting the breakdown in nuclear security and nuclear weapons reduction agreements
between the United States and the Russian Federation, including the Plutonium
Management and Disposition Agreement, the New START Treaty, and the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty,
20.
Welcoming the launch of negotiations at UN headquarters in New York between
123 countries this spring to establish an international ban against the possession, use,
threat of use, acquisition, stockpiling, or deployment of nuclear weapons,
21.
Welcoming the appointment in September 2016 of an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Special Representative on Mediation, serving as the primary point of contact within the
PA on mediation and the conflict cycle and liaising with other international organizations
dealing with mediation issues,
22.
Welcoming the participation of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan at the Winter Meeting on
23-24 February 2017 in Vienna,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
23.
Urges participating States to recommit to multilateral diplomacy in the pursuit of
comprehensive security and to implement OSCE confidence-building measures, as
appropriate, to resolve existing conflicts and reduce the risks of future conflicts and to
unambiguously uphold the assumptions and principles of the Helsinki Final Act and the
Paris Summit, the Istanbul Charter of 1999, the Astana Declaration of 2010 and the
fundamental principles set out in the Decalogue concerning political, military, economic,
humanitarian and environmental co-operation on which the OSCE is based;
24.
Calls on all political leaders in participating States of the Western Balkans to commit to
constructive dialogue, both internally and with their counterparts in neighbouring States,
to defuse political tensions and refrain from belligerent rhetoric that could lead to a
deterioration in inter-ethnic and inter-State relations, to disassociate themselves publicly
from expressions of extreme nationalism and intolerance made by others within their
respective States, to support justice regarding all horrific crimes committed during
3