MINSK, 26 November (BelTA) – The Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS IPA) allows one to express opinions and to be heard, BelTA learned from Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova after the 53rd plenary session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, BelTA has learned.
The head of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament said: “Events of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly took place over the course of two days. The work was very intensive because a number of events were organized, during which pressing and important matters for every participating state were discussed. First of all, a session of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly was held, during which matters concerning migration and healthcare were discussed. The plenary session focused on model laws each country can use to develop its national laws. An international conference on healthcare services amid the pandemic took place. During the conference we could exchange opinions about this quite important matter.”
According to Natalya Kochanova, it is important that migration was discussed during CIS Interparliamentary Assembly events. “Medical aid and accommodation of migrants represent a very important topic for our country today. When the situation in Ukraine happened, we welcomed 160,000 refugees and nobody talked about how Belarus was handling the problem. We understood that it is necessary to help people. Today when we talk about several thousand refugees, who happened to have no house, no shelter due to conditions created by European countries, there is no resolving the situation,” she noted.
Natalya Kochanova stressed that the Belarusian delegation had presented its stance on the matter. “And we are very glad that there is a platform like the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly where one can express opinions and where one can be heard. Work in these organizations is very important for us. We've certainly backed everything planned for the next year – the year of the 30th anniversary of establishment of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. Because all these events are geared towards improving living standards in our countries, towards peace and tranquility, and towards the legal regulation of all of it,” she added.
Natalya Kochanova also said she hopes that the next session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly will be an offline one.
