We welcome the return of the Lieutenant Colonel Napiontek to the Permanent Council, and thank him for his report.
Lieutenant Colonel Napiontek, as your report notes, since 2008 there has not been a single request or appeal from a military pensioner to the Latvian-Russian Joint Commission on Military Pensioners, nor has there been a Commission meeting since 2013. We commend the Latvian institutions that have, for many years, successfully resolved all issues of concern related to Russian military pensioners.
Lieutenant Colonel Napiontek, we agree with your conclusion that Latvia and Russia can solve most issues regarding military pensioners bilaterally, and this should no longer require the involvement of the OSCE. We appreciate your frank assessment that a large portion of your work is complete, and support your proposal for the Representative to the Latvian-Russian Joint Commission on Military Pensioners to serve on a stand-by basis in the event of a request by one of the parties or an individual military pensioner. Thank you again, Lieutenant Colonel Napiontek, for your service.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna
