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- Ελληνικά
On Monday, 13 June 2022, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Anita Demetriou, participated in the proceedings of the 15th Conference of Speakers of the Parliaments of the Small States of Europe, held at the Parliament of Monaco. The President of the House of Representatives was accompanied by the Director General of the Parliament, Ms Tasoula Ieronymidou.
During the debate on the economic and tourism development of the Small States of Europe, the President of the Parliament stressed the need to evaluate and adjust the strategies implemented in the past in order to be able to face the challenges of the future, particularly in the fields of energy, food security and climate change.
During the debate on the economic and tourism development of the Small States of Europe, the President of the Parliament stressed the need to evaluate and adjust the strategies implemented in the past in order to be able to face the challenges of the future, particularly in the fields of energy, food security and climate change. Cyprus, Ms Demetriou said, faces additional difficulties in addressing the challenges it faces, due to the impact of Turkey's continued occupation of part of its territory and the ongoing Turkish provocations and violations against the Republic of Cyprus. Ms Demetriou also stressed the need for cooperation and the development of synergies, both between the public and private sectors and with neighbouring states, and highlighted the usefulness of cooperation between the small states of Europe in order to exchange best practices in addressing challenges in accordance with the specificities of these states.
She underlined that the flexibility that characterises the economies of small states allows for their adaptability and easier diversification, which is of particular importance. Cyprus, Ms Demetriou stressed, which has experienced crises with significant social and economic consequences in its recent history, most notably that arising from the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation, has succeeded in recovering due to targeted policies, its hard-working, skilled human resources and its dynamic private sector. Finally, Ms Demetriou noted that parliaments have an essential role to play in one of the most difficult periods in history and that only through synergies and cooperation can economic stability and sustainability be ensured.
In the discussion on the role of the parliaments of the small European states during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lessons learnt from the way in which this crisis was managed, Ms Demetriou stressed that, through the pandemic crisis, the need to turn the crisis into an opportunity became apparent, so that states could dare to make the necessary changes that would enhance their preparedness to face any future crisis. The Speaker also highlighted the need for collective action, coordination and demonstration of solidarity to address any international crisis, adding that also at the national level, the demonstration of a spirit of unity and cooperation is key in order to deal more effectively with any challenges.
In addressing the health and economic impact of the pandemic in particular, Ms Demetriou noted as a success the fact that the House of Representatives succeeded in adapting to the new circumstances and to continue unhindered Our credibility as politicians and our integrity as institutions, Ms Demetriou said, depends on our ability to address with speed and efficiency the challenges that our countries face, including climate change, the management of migratory flows and the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During the discussion on the experiences of women leaders of governments, parliaments and businesses, the Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the participation of women in decision-making centres Demetriou stressed that parliaments and institutions must work towards ensuring equal opportunities for women in order to achieve equal representation of men and women and women's participation in politics. "My election should pave the way for other women," Ms Demetriou noted, noting that the representation of women in the House of Representatives is very low. The Speaker also stressed that it is time to end the use of negative stereotypes about women, to promote positive female role models, to raise the issue of politics and education and to emphasize the promotion of positions and advantages in key positions without leaving anyone behind because of his/her gender. "It is time to serve democracy as it deserves as this is the only way to secure the future we deserve."
The Conference concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement reflecting the discussions held during the Conference.
At the proposal of the President of the Parliament, a reference to the commitment of small states to respect the principles of international law and human rights was included as an important tool for the protection of small states. Mrs Demetriou's amendment was also adopted, referring to the importance of strengthening the readiness of parliaments to face future challenges, focusing on the needs and priorities of citizens. On the issue of equality, Mrs Demetriou's amendments were also adopted concerning the importance of changing the rhetoric on women's participation, the commitment of parliaments to promoting gender equality in decision-making centres and promoting conditions that will enable more women to follow the example of women leaders.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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