MINSK, 25 November (BelTA) – Countries should fight against unjustified economic pressure together, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said in an online meeting with Chairman of the Pan-African Parliament Fortune Charumbira on 25 November, BelTA correspondent reports.
“First of all, let me congratulate you on the success of the first session of the Pan-African Parliament of the sixth convocation. With your experience and knowledge, you are confidently solving the tasks of strengthening the role and authority of the organization you lead. I would like to wish that African unity be strengthened and that the activities of the Pan-African Parliament continue to serve the noble objectives of the African Union,” said Vladimir Andreichenko.
Belarus pursues a peace-loving foreign policy and consistently puts forward unifying initiatives aimed at building confidence and fruitful cooperation, the speaker said. “The most important initiative belongs to the President of the Republic of Belarus on global dialogue in order to form a new and comprehensive system of collective security. We hope this initiative will be supported by the African states,” he stressed. “We appreciate reasonable and objective position of African MPs as part of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement. These platforms and the platform of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly can be used to promote joint initiatives and mutual support.”
“One of the priorities for us at the moment is to counter the sanctions policy. I know that sanctions have affected your home country, Zimbabwe. Countries should fight against unjustified economic pressure together. In the year of 2022, declared by the African Union as the Year of Nutrition, and in the coming years, we must stay united to avoid a global food crisis and the impoverishment of the population,” Vladimir Andreichenko added.
The parties discussed interaction between the National Assembly of Belarus and the Pan-African Parliament, the issue of obtaining the observer status in the Pan-African Parliament, the prospects of establishing a delegation in the National Assembly of Belarus for interaction with the Pan-African Parliament, as well as mutual support and possible joint initiatives as part of inter-parliamentary organizations, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement, the CIS IPA.
Belarus prioritizes the development of political dialogue, the enhancement of trade, economic and humanitarian relations with the countries of the entire African continent.
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is an organ of the African Union. Its first session took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in March 2004. The PAP currently has 275 members representing the 55 member states of the African Union. National delegations usually include five delegates, including two women. The PAP is led by a chairperson and four deputy chairpersons representing five regions of Africa (Northern, Central, Western, Eastern and Southern). Together they form the Bureau. In June 2022, Senator of the Zimbabwean Parliament Fortune Charumbira was elected Chairman of the Pan-African Parliament.
