Russia: Lavrov slams Finland's rejection of Russian OSCE members

Finland's decision to reject five members of the Russian delegation who were set to participate in the upcoming OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session in Helsinki was not only a violation of the country's international obligations, but also a sign of "rudimentary unfriendliness," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Moscow, Friday. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Annual Session runs from 5-9 July. Speaking at a joint press conference with Luxembourg's FM Jean Asselborn, Lavrov added that Finland has also violated the EU's own sanction policy, which explicitly excludes international organisations, such as the OSCE, from the sanction regime. Finland's explanation stating that only the OSCE itself, but not its parliamentary organ is exempted from sanctions, Lavrov dismissed as "ridiculous" and "even offensive" towards the OSCE. On Wednesday, Russia's State Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin - who was personally affected by Finland's decision - stated that the entire delegation will stay away from Helsinki's OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session.