Valentina Matvienko: "The political significance of the 137th Assembly goes far beyond traditional inter-parliamentary relations"

Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko held the first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

"The political significance of the 137th Assembly goes far beyond the traditional inter-parliamentary relations," said IPA CIS Chairperson.

Valentina Matvienko noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Union was an organization uniting legislators of the majority of world states. And it is quite natural that representatives of different countries express different points of view and political positions on many issues. "In these conditions it is important to defend and promote national interests, while at the same time doing whatever it takes to ensure that disagreements do not lead to a tough confrontation."

Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council shared that the main suggested topic of the 137th Assembly was "From cultural diversity to cultural pluralism for the sake of peace and security for all". The delegations of the IPU parliaments will have an excellent opportunity to exchange experience and develop agreed universal recommendations for their parliaments in St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of the Russian Federation.

"One more important thing – the theme of cultural diversity and cultural pluralism is non-confrontational and acceptable for all participants of the Assembly without exception," said Valentina Matvienko.

In this regard, she noted that along with the 137th Assembly of the IPU, Russia will host the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students in October 2017 in St. Petersburg, which will bring together more than 20,000 young people from 150 countries, including the CIS. "This is a special platform for dialogue and a global form of communication. Its goal is to find ways to confront the challenges that the younger generation faces today through discussions, cultural programs, sport, and free communication. "

Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council recalled that this year would mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption in Cairo of the Universal Declaration on Democracy, a unique global initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. "In view of this, we believe it is necessary to urge all members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to discuss the possibility of adopting a resolution, which would reaffirm the principles of the Universal Declaration of Democracy, including indications that democracy cannot exist without equality and mutual respect."

According to Valentina Matvienko, the resolution should reflect the thesis that democracy is not an idea of a purely Western origin. "Democracy, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration, is a global idea. It should be implemented taking into account the diversity of experience and cultural characteristics, without detracting from universally recognized principles, norms and standards. "

"Discussion of the resolution "20th anniversary of the Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Democracy: the Commonality of Diversity" by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and by national parliaments will allow all the IPU members to reaffirm their commitment to a safer world. To a world order based on unconditional observance of international law and recognition of the leading role of the UN, respect for the sovereignty of states and the right of peoples to determine their destiny without external interference", said Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council.

She also noted that together with all partners it was necessary to develop the unifying agenda of the St. Petersburg forum.

The event was attended by Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin, representatives of the ministries of the Russian Federation, the Government of St. Petersburg, the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, Roscongress, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Ilyas Umakhanov, and Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Alexey Sergeev.