OSCE Parliamentary Assembly rejects observer status for TURKPA

During the 33rd Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held in The Hague, a proposal to grant observer status to the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) was submitted to the Standing Committee. The initiative was supported by the OSCE Assembly President and delegations from Ukraine, Romania, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Cypriot MP and Vice President of the Assembly, Irene Charalambidou, along with the head of the Greek delegation, Angelos Syrigos, strongly opposed the move. Charalambidou argued that the proposal posed political risks due to the participation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in TURKPA. After the Assembly President claimed only Cyprus and Greece opposed the motion, Charalambidou demanded a formal vote. The vote demonstrated that numerous European and other nations supported the position of the Republic of Cyprus. Consequently, the amendment to grant TURKPA observer status was rejected by the committee.