Participants of Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments have undertaken to step up joint efforts to provide legislative support to strengthen partnerships in Eurasia for common, inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity by encouraging cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, such as logistics, customs procedures, removing obstacles for business and others.
Speakers of parliaments recognize that “the multilateral trading system faces unprecedented difficulties.” “We declare our commitment to creating a global open economy, with an efficient allocation of resources, free movement of goods and services, as well as fair and organized competition that promotes sustainable development and prosperity of all countries,” the communique stated.
The document also stresses the importance of the development of integration structures in Eurasia, in particular, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the initiatives “One Belt, One Road”, “ASEAN Integration”. The importance of continuing negotiations on the establishment of a Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership is emphasized. These organizations will allow forming a mutually beneficial, open and equal partnership in Eurasia, the communique stated.
Special attention is paid to the need to implement the Sustainable Development Agenda until 2030 in accordance with national rules and legislation. The participants also speak for the UN, including its High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, to play an important role in coordinating and evaluating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
“We insist on the need for effective steps to reform the UN system in order to expand its capacity to assist state parties in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda,” the final communique says.
In addition, the participants of the meeting stressed the importance of parliaments in addressing issues related to environmental protection. It is also noted that close cooperation and coordination of efforts between the Eurasian states will help to adapt and improve the environmental sustainability of the economy.
The document refers to the provisions of the Paris agreement on climate change. According to the final communique, the speakers reaffirm their commitment to conduct the functions of parliaments in the implementation of nationally determined contributions, including environmental legislative measures and budgetary financing of programmes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, whenever possible.
Special attention is paid to the settlement of conflicts through peaceful process without the use of force or the threat of its use in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law and the UN Charter. ”We fully acknowledge the central role of the UN in promoting and strengthening international peace and security,“ the document states.
“Being confident that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict, we reaffirm efforts aimed at facilitating the process of a political settlement under the guidance and with the active contributions of the Syrian citizens in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” as emphasized in the communique.
Speakers of parliaments also call upon all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to avoid actions that could pose a threat to the civilian population and hamper the conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of origin in Syria.
The statement notes that the speakers of parliaments respect commitments of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea to dialogue for a long-term peace on the Korean Peninsula, including the holding of inter-Korean summits. Participants of the Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments are in favour of the peace process of resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis trough continuation of the dialogue and supporting an integrated approach and cooperation to establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
“We once again condemn terrorism in all its forms, organizations and manifestations, regardless of race or religion,” the communiqué says. The speakers of parliaments stress that no state can cope single-handed with this threat, and therefore “we have undertaken to work together to protect our citizens, strengthen global security, stability and promotion of long-term success.”
The communiqué also notes that cybersecurity issues are cross-cutting and require concerted actions to address it.
At the same time, cyberspace can provide opportunities for significant economic and technological development. Therefore, the document confirms the need of closer cooperation and coordination on cybersecurity issues in Eurasia, including policy development and confidence-building measures. ”We welcome the call of the State of Qatar for cooperation with UN agencies to convene and host an International Conference on Cybersecurity,“ the final communique says.
According to the document, the next Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments will be held in Kazakhstan in 2019.
