The PABSEC participation in the 65th Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, London, 11-14 October 2019
The PABSEC delegation composed of Mrs. Roberta Alma Anastase, Head of the PABSEC Romanian Delegation, Mr. Cemal Ozturk, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the 65th Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in London on 11-14 October 2019 upon the invitation of the Parliament of Great Britain.
The Session was attended by more than 600 participants, including parliamentarians of NATO member states and observers, as well as representatives of government structures, international organizations and the diplomatic corps.
The following issues were discussed over two days: within the framework of the Committee on Defence and Security, “A New Era of Nuclear Deterrence. Modernisation, Arms Control and Allied Nuclear Forces”, “Supporting Allied Forces and Their International Partners’ Efforts in Afghanistan”, “Supporting to NATO's Post-INF Defence and Deterrence Posture”; in the framework of the Committee on Economics and Security “North American and European Approaches to Digital Markets and Cyber Security”, “The Republic of North Macedonia: Political Change, NATO Accession and Economic Transition”, “Economic Sanctions as a Tool of Foreign Policy”; in the framework of the Political Affairs Committee “Security and Stability in Africa - Challenges and Opportunities for NATO”; in the framework of the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security “NATO at 70: Reaffirming the Alliance’s Values”, “Border Security”; in the framework of the Committee on Science and Technology "NATO in the Cyber Age: Strengthening Security and Defence, Stabilizing Deterrence."
The Plenary Session was addressed by Mrs. Madeleine Moon, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, Rt. Hon. Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, Ms. Alia Hatoug-Buran President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.
The Plenary Session adopted recommendations to the governments of the Alliance countries on security issues, enlarging deterrence policies, and ensuring cybersecurity. It was noted that there is a dangerous tendency to blur the lines between peace and war, as well as the need for working together to strengthen the values of the Alliance. The situation in Syria was also discussed.
On the sidelines of the Plenary Session, the PABSEC delegation met with the Chairman of the Second Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) for Economic, Social and Environmental Cooperation, Mr. Antonio Pedro Roque (Portugal) and the PAM Secretary General, Mr. Sergio Piazzi. The issues of mutual interest were discussed, and it was agreed to hold a joint seminar in Istanbul in February 2020.