National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
6 July 2017 The National Assembly standing delegation at the PABSEC 49th Plenary Session
Thursday, 6 July 2017
National Assembly Standing Delegation Takes Part in PABSEC 49th Plenary Session
The National Assembly standing delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) comprising MA Igor Becic, Head of the standing delegation, and members Milija Miletic, Zoltan Pek and Ivan Kostic, took part in the organization’s 49th Plenary Session in Istanbul, 4 – 6 July. In addition to Serbia, the session was attended by the delegations of Azerbaijan, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, and chaired by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and PABSEC President Ismail Kahraman.
MA Igor Becic, Head of the National Assembly standing delegation to PABSEC and PABSEC Vice-President, chaired the second part of the session, while the main topic of the General Debate was “The Role of the Parliaments in Ensuring Security and Peace in the Black Sea Region”.
Speaking on it, delegation member Ivan Kostic said that peace and security are the fundamental values which demand our complete attention and the preservation of peace and security are the priorities of Serbia’s foreign policy, adding that we are fully committed to preserving peace and stability in the region. He emphasized the role the parliament and parliamentary diplomacy play in achieving these goals. With its constructive approach, Serbia and its neighbours, countries from the Black Sea region and Europe at large, as well as its global partners have joined efforts to find an adequate solution to all regional and global issues, one example of which is the country’s approach to the migrant crisis and combating terrorism.
Following the debate, the Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Declaration “The Role of the Parliaments in Ensuring Peace and Security in the Black Sea Region”. It also adopted the Declaration of the PABSEC on the 25th Anniversary of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The Parliamentary Assembly also adopted recommendations and reports on: development of new and renewable sources of energy in the BSEC member states, the role of the parliaments in strengthening legislative framework for economic growth and social integration, and the role of the parliaments in providing a sustainable healthcare system in BSEC member states.
The Serbian delegation, headed by MA Igor Becic realized a number of excellent bilateral contacts during the session.
The next General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation will be held in in Kiev, on 28 -30 November 2017, and be hosted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine which took over the PABSEC Presidency at the Istanbul session.
