The PABSEC participation in the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Belgrade, 13-17 October 2019

The PABSEC delegation, composed of Mr. Igor Becic, Head of the PABSEC Serbian Delegation and PABSEC Vice-President, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, participated in the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which was held in Belgrade on 13-17 October 2019 upon the invitation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

This gathering in the capital of Serbia brought together representatives of legislative bodies from 149 states, about 70 speakers of national parliaments, more than 700 members of parliament, as well as representatives of international organizations. The topic of the meeting was "Strengthening International Law: Parliamentary Role and Mechanisms, and the Contribution of Regional Cooperation."

The opening ceremony was addressed by Mr. Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Maja Gojkovic, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the IPU, Mr. Ivica Dacic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU.

In his speech at the plenary session, Mr. Igor Becic, Head of the PABSEC Serbian Delegation and PABSEC Vice-President, emphasized the important place of the Black Sea region in the world politics and noted the role of parliaments in achieving the goals and objectives of the PABSEC aimed at improving political climate, strengthening dialogue and solidarity in the Black Sea Region. He also emphasized the special importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy for enhancing the atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.

Within the framework of the 141st Assembly, meetings of the four IPU Standing Committees, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union were held.

At the conclusion of the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a final document was adopted.

On the sidelines of the event, the PABSEC delegation met with Mr. George Tsereteli, the President of the OSCE PA, and discussed the issues of mutual interest.