The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) participated in the capacity of observer to the14th Session of the Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court, held in The Hague on 18-26 November 2015.
PAM Secretary General, Amb. Sergio Piazzi expressed the strong interest of PAM to formalise a cooperation strategy with the ICC on areas of common concern. PAM, for example, has already addressed, this year, the issue of the destruction of cultural heritage as a war crime, and issues related to the threat of terrorism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF).
PAM’s joint activities with the UN system were also highlighted. PAM was entrusted with assisting in the implementation of the legislative aspects of UN Security Council Resolutions 2170, 2178 and 2199 – adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter – which outline the responsibilities of member states in addressing the FTFs phenomenon. The Assembly is providing the parliamentarians of the region with a platform for dialogue on harmonizing counterterrorism legislation with reference to the actions needed to combat the spread of FTFs, the financing of terrorism and the sanctions to prosecute terrorists.
To this end, seminars were dedicated to Members of Parliaments, to increase capacity building, and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with the relevant international actors committed to this cause, with the main goal of promoting synergies and the effectiveness of legal frameworks across the Mediterranean region.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, together with its member parliaments, is fully committed to support, through its mandate, the efforts of all relevant international actors in this crucial sector for the region.