The 52nd British Isles and Mediterranean Regional Conference (BIMR) of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concludes later today in London, with the participation of MPs Aristos Damianou (leader), Nikos Sikas and Christos Orphanides.
Mr. Sikas, in his intervention in the debate on standards and codes of conduct, pointed out that the regulation of standards of parliamentary conduct is directly linked to public confidence in democratic processes, transparency and the effectiveness of institutions. Therefore, Sikas stressed, the existence of a clear code of conduct is of paramount importance, both for the protection of parliamentarians and for the institutional framework for the functioning of parliaments. He noted that the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus has established a framework governing such standards for MPs by adopting a number of bills and regulations, including the "Code of Principles and Rules of Conduct" for MPs. The Code, he said, addresses issues of conflict of interest, serving personal or private interests or a third party, incompatibility, benefits, and political lobbying, and provides clear guidelines on MPs' obligations to the House. Orphanides, in his intervention in a debate on parliamentary initiatives to tackle the climate crisis, stressed that the unprecedented climate crisis threatening the planet can only be tackled through coordinated action, close international cooperation and compliance with the provisions of international treaties. He also stressed that parliaments have the responsibility to incorporate into national legislation the decisions taken at the international level.
The Cypriot MP made a special reference to the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus on Climate Change Coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. This initiative, which foresees the undertaking of cross-border actions, was launched with the adoption of an official declaration by the leaders of the ten countries of the region at the Heads of State Meeting held in the framework of COP27 in Egypt last November.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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