MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) - A group of influential countries is trying to substitute the international law with the rules they invented, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said in his video address to the participants of the in-person part of the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, BelTA learned from the press service of the lower house of parliament.
“The theme of our conference is more relevant than ever. The number of threats to peace and security is not diminishing. The goals of sustainable development are becoming more and more elusive. The pandemic has exacerbated old and provoked new negative processes. Instead of deescalation of tensions, confidence-building and cooperation, personal restrictions, economic sanctions, blockades and campaigns to undermine sovereignty are multiplying. A group of influential countries is trying to replace international law with invented rules,” said Vladimir Andreichenko.
According to him, NATO's eastward expansion, externally imposed color revolutions and attempts by the collective West to revise the results of World War II are ways to lead the world to disaster.
“We, MPs, cannot allow this to happen. There can be no long-term just resolution of issues of international importance by force. Otherwise, the law of force, rather than the force of law, will prevail in the world. Belarus, as a UN co-founder, attaches the utmost importance to the observance of the basic principles of international law. They guarantee every state the opportunity to choose a political, social, economic and cultural system in accordance with the will of its people. We place special hope in the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus to hold a broad international dialogue to restore confidence and strengthen security. We count on your support in its implementation, including for such tasks as the fight against all types and forms of modern slavery, human trafficking and illicit drug trafficking,” the speaker said.
Vladimir Andreichenko said that following the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy, Belarus proposed to intensify the development of clear approaches to combating terrorism on the internet in all its forms and manifestations. The initiative of the Belarusian head of state on the formation of the “belt of digital neighborhood” is aimed at achieving the same goal.
“Environmental challenges and the problems they generate remain among the growing global risks of global development. We urge to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021 to strengthen cooperation in overcoming and preventing them. Belarusian MPs have actively joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union's campaign “I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament”. After all, young people are our future. More attention should be paid to enhancing their role in building a secure and prosperous world. We are ready to continue working together on peaceful and unifying initiatives in the Inter-Parliamentary Union to strengthen multilateralism, peace and sustainable development. Belarus and our MPs are open to equal and mutually respectful cooperation,” said the speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament takes place in two stages. The first part of the conference was held online in August 2020. A delegation of the House of Representatives, headed by Vladimir Andreichenko, took part in the event. The in-person part of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, as well as the Summit of the Women Speakers of Parliament are held in Vienna on 6-8 September.
The theme of the conference is “Parliamentary Leadership for Effective Multilateralism to Ensure Peace and Sustainable Development for Population and Planet”. There will be debates and panel discussions on topical issues, aimed at direct interaction between parliamentary leaders. The conference will conclude with the adoption of a high-level political declaration.
The main objective of the in-person part of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is to establish a direct dialogue between the heads of the legislative bodies of the states of the world, as well as the leaders of international and inter-parliamentary organizations to further deepen and expand interaction for more effective multilateralism that ensures peace and sustainable development for people and the planet.
The conference will be followed by the First Global Parliamentary Summit on Counter-Terrorism on 9 September. The relevant events are organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in close cooperation with the UN and the Austrian Parliament.
