PAM mobilized to promote the values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law principles in the Mediterranean area

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MEDIA INFORMATION: 27/2012
ISSUED ON: 28/05/2012

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) was among the key international and regional organisations participating at the Spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 25-28 May 2012.

PAM was represented by Sen. Gilbert Roger (France) and Hon. Ilija Dimovski, Head of delegation of the FYROM to PAM. The two PAM parliamentarians addressed the Political Committee, the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security and the Economics and Security Committee.

In his address to the Political Committee, Sen. Roger referred to the political and social transformations in the countries of the Arab Spring and mentioned as key root causes the malfunction of the political systems and the deteriorating socio-economic conditions experienced by people in the region in the last few years.

PAM closely monitored and accompanied the democratic transition process in the Arab spring countries as illustrated by its direct action in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, through its readiness to support constitutional and legislative reforms and fair elections, and to economic recovery and sustainable growth. PAM has played an instrumental role, at the regional and international level, in particular in assisting those member states which went through such dramatic changes, and the processes aimed at strengthening their democratic institutions”, Sen. Roger said.

He also underlined the close collaboration PAM has established with the United Nations and the Interparliamentary Union (IPU).

PAM, Sen. Roger said, is committed to continue with its efforts to facilitate, through its parliamentary diplomacy tools, the replacement of injustices with a more participatory democracy in those countries where the populations have given their lives for freedom.

Sen. Roger expressed PAMs readiness for more collaboration with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to promote further operational solutions aimed at achieving the aspirations expressed by the peoples following the Arab spring, and which are also inspiring the youth in the Western world.

Now as the region strives to get back on its feet and re-establish stability, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean takes upon itself the challenge to assist in all the needs of the region” Sen. Roger concluded.

The French parliamentarian also presented PAMs specific commitments in his intervention during the Economic and Security Committee, recalling that already in 2010 PAM launched a dedicated Panel on External Trade and Investments in the Mediterranean. It is considered as a truly active and dynamic initiative, which strengthened the commitment towards cooperation and integration in the region. In order to attract investments and allocate funds, PAM has established a solid cooperation calendar with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), whose shareholders agreed at the recent Annual Meeting in London, to create a €1 billion special fund to start investments in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

Sen. Roger concluded by saying that in the absence of a Free Trade Area in the Mediterranean there is an urgent need for regional parliamentary co-operation to promote economic growth through measures such as facilitating the development of SMEs, encouraging the creation of employment and increasing commerce.

In the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security, Hon. Dimovski highlighted PAMs vision on crisis management and democratic stability in the Mediterranean at this crucial juncture of the region. PAM shares the same NATOs values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and is mobilized to promote these principles in the Mediterranean area”, Hon. Dimovski said.

The PAM parliamentarian concluded that the Assembly will continue to build on the fruitful cooperation established with the NATO PA, and this strategic partnership between the parliamentarians of the two Assemblies, will continue to be a key approach in the mission to promote and achieve stability and security for the peoples of the region.

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