OSCE urges support to Turkey in aid provided to Syrians

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly President Riccardo Migliori (Italy) issued a statement regarding the situation in Syria, which included a call to support Turkey as it shoulders a great weight in aiding Syrian refugees. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its concern over the ongoing repression in Syria. In particular, the Assembly stresses the need and urgency for genuine international support to Turkey, which is nearly on its last legs in efforts to rescue increasing and unmanageable numbers of Syrian refugees. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly asks the UN and the OSCE governments for a concrete financial and organizational initiative aimed at internationalizing the rescue initiatives on behalf of the fleeing people, in order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. "With 56 States from Europe, Central Asia, and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization. It offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of its participating states into practice through its unique network of field missions," the OSCE website indicates. "The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism, and economic and environmental activities. "All 56 participating states enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis."