(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to Ukrinform, OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro announced this during the opening of the Assembly's autumn session in Istanbul.

He noted that after his visit to Ukraine in October, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's commitment to peace and security in Europe was stronger than ever and began with its unwavering support for Ukraine. He added that, as part of this commitment, the Assembly would officially join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, describing it as another step in its steadfast support.

He stressed that decisions about Ukraine's future can be made only with Ukraine's participation, and any peace negotiations must be based on respect for its territorial integrity, ensuring justice, rebuilding the country, and securing lasting peace.

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The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

"We view today's decision by the OSCE PA, along with the recent appointment by the Assembly's President of Swedish Riksdag member Carina Odebrink as special envoy on Russia's abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children, as an important stage in the Assembly's practical involvement in the work of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, and a further strengthening of the coordinated international response to systemic violations of children's rights amid Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine," the ministry said.

It added that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly - bringing together 57 participating states, more than 320 parliamentarians, and representing over one billion citizens - is a key platform for promoting shared democratic values, human rights, and principles of international law in Europe and beyond.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the Assembly's active and principled stance on returning abducted and unlawfully deported Ukrainian children would play a significant role in consolidating global efforts aimed at ending these criminal practices and ensuring Russia's accountability.

The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children already includes 44 countries. Eight member states of the coalition are beginning to launch a mechanism to search for data on all children abducted by Russia and taken from Ukraine.

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