In the context of the second part of the 2023 Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP George Loucaides participated yesterday in a debate in plenary session on the evaluation of the mechanism "Partnership for Democracy" between the PACE and the parliaments of third countries.
In his intervention, Mr. Loucaides said that this parliamentary cooperation scheme has yielded positive results in the cooperating parliaments of Jordan, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and Kyrgyzstan on key issues related to democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. At the same time, the Cypriot MP noted, the CSTO has also benefited from this partnership, broadening its network of cooperation with neighbouring Council of Europe countries and promoting relations of mutual trust and democratic security in the wider region. Loucaides pointed out that the provision of support by the Council of Europe and the transfer of its necessary know-how and acquis to the countries of the "Partnership for Democracy" presupposes the clear political commitment of these countries to the implementation of specific democratic reforms, the ratification of relevant conventions of the Organization and their transposition into national legislation. Under no circumstances, Mr. Loucaides stressed, this partnership is not aimed at imposing democracy, but at providing support to the efforts of the "Co-operative" countries to consolidate and deepen democracy, particularly towards civil society, on the basis of common principles and acceptance of the specificities and priorities of each country. The contracting parliaments, he pointed out, should feel the CSTO as a real partner in their own major political and social challenges. For example, he added, our Palestinian friends should receive support and solidarity from the CSTO in the face of Israel's unacceptable and often inhumane actions and policies, and consequently in their just struggle for a state of their own, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and their right to dignity.
Referring to his own positive experience as Rapporteur for the evaluation of this mechanism in relation to Jordan, Mr. Loucaides noted the country's crucial role in regional peace and stability and the need for practical support and solidarity with the Jordanian people, so that enhanced cooperation with the CSTO can bring tangible results to the complex challenges that the country continues to face.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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