18-21 November 2022, Madrid, Spain – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) actively contributed to the 68th Annual Session of the NATO PA. On this occasion, PAM was represented by PAM President, Hon. Pedro Roque (Portugal).
In his intervention, President Roque recalled PAM’s strong condemnation towards the dramatic aggression launched by the Kremlin’s regime against Ukraine on 24 February.
This unilateral catastrophic decision has resulted in critical consequences on the security and stability of the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. Among others, notwithstanding the humanitarian tragedy caused by the continued Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructures, smuggling of firearms and explosives within Europe; trafficking of human beings and migrants; the presence of the Wagner Group and other foreign fighters in Ukraine; and the involvement of Iranian drones to target the civilian population are reported.
PAM President affirmed that PAM considers NATO as a key actor to guarantee and maintain a peaceful environment at the global level. In particular, he added “at PAM, we think that our cooperation with the NATO PA should become even stronger, and it is my pleasure to reiterate here the willingness of the Assembly, as already agreed a year ago, to co-organize the next NATO GSM meeting”.
During the 68th NATO Annual Session, some 300 parliamentarians from the 30 NATO and partner countries were present to debate and adopt six resolutions, to complete the 2022 policy recommendations for the NATO governments.
PAM noted NATO PA resolutions urging Member Countries to state clearly that the Russian state, under the current regime, is a terrorist one, and to hold Russian leaders accountable for war crimes, including the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute crime of aggression.
PAM supports the appeal for the launch of a Marshall Plan-like aid program to rebuild a more prosperous Ukraine, with high democratic standards, to which Russia must contribute given the damage it has inflicted, as already adopted by the UN General Assembly.//