20/02/2026 President
“The Council of Europe and the OSCE share a fundamental principle: human rights and democracy are not separate from security – they are its foundation,” today said PACE President Petra Bayr, addressing the 25th Winter meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) in Vienna.
Evoking current security threats – such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine or hybrid warfare through disinformation, cyber-attacks, and electoral interference – Ms Bayr recalled that defending democracy required multi-layered international co-operation, strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities, and ensuring collective security through democratic values. She highlighted, in particular, “the very good co-operation of PACE and OSCE PA election observation bodies”.
“Co-operation between PACE and the OSCE PA is essential […] in preserving durable peace, maintaining the rules-based order, and ensuring the prosperity of our citizens,” PACE President concluded.