Unique role of parliamentary assemblies in the establishment of effective regional legal frameworks to combat terrorism – PAM President Hon. Roque

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MEDIA INFORMATION: 28/2018
ISSUED ON: 06/06/2018

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) was among the international organizations participating at the High-level International Forum Development of Parliamentarism” organized by the Russian State Duma in Moscow on 4-5 June 2018.

PAM was represented by President Hon. Pedro Roque of Portugal, President Emeritus Sen. Francesco Amoruso of Italy, Hon. Klodiana Spahiu of Albania and the Secretariat.

The Forum brought together parliamentarians from over 90 countries, 20 Presidents and Vice-Presidents of national and international parliaments, as well as a number of senior experts to debate the role that parliamentary diplomacy plays in todays international relations and how to further strengthen cooperation among parliaments around the world. Throughout the conference there was consensus among the participants about the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing current global challenges.

President Roque addressed the Forum at the closing ceremony. In his statement, he highlighted concrete examples of successful parliamentary diplomatic efforts achieved by PAM as a regional platform, such as keeping a continuous and productive dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian delegations; offering good offices between European Institutions and the Parliament of Syria; promoting the process of national reconciliation in Libya; as well as supporting the efforts of the international community to commit Syrian senior officials to facilitate the unimpeded delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict areas.

The PAM delegates also actively participated in several roundtables and thematic sessions. In his address at the session on security, President Roque highlighted the role of parliamentary assemblies in the establishment of effective regional legal frameworks to combat terrorism. He noted that, through the joint work of PAM with key UN offices mandated to combat international terrorism, the need had been noted for greater synergy among national legislations to facilitate effective international cooperation on counter-terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. He added that this is best achieved through ensuring that national laws are in line with the provisions of relevant UN instruments, such as the recent UN Security Council Resolution 2396 on the returning of foreign fighters and deradicalisation.

PAM delegates also held a number of fruitful bilateral meetings with representatives of the Russian Duma, Heads of regional parliamentary organisations, and Presidents of national parliaments to discuss the strengthening of ongoing and future cooperation with PAM in areas of common interests.

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