Delegation of the European Parliament visited the IPA CIS headquarters

The delegation the European Free Alliance group of the European Parliament visited the Tavrichesky Palace on the invitation of the IPA CIS Council Secretary General Alexey Sergeev, as part of its mission to exchange practices of parliamentary activities. President of the EP EFA group Josep-Maria Terricabras led the delegation.

The EFA delegation also included MEP Tatiana Zhdanok, Secretary General of the EFA party Gunter Dauwen, member of the EFA Board Lorena Lacalle, and staff members of the EP.

Alexey Sergeev reminded the guests that the European Parliament was one of the first European institutions which had been in partnership with the IPA CIS since as early as 1993. Through all these years IPA CIS and EP have maintained sustainable contacts – IPA CIS takes part in EP sessions and receives EP representatives attending events hosted by IPA CIS in the Tavrichesky Palace. The contacts we share during various events support the development of our ties. Two weeks ago the IPA CIS delegation, invited by EP President Martin Schulz, visited the WTO Parliamentary Conference in Geneva and took the opportunity to meet a broad EP delegation in its margins, added Alexey Sergeev.

IPA CIS Secretary General invited MEPs to contribute in the preparation and hosting of the international conference on combating terrorism expected to be held in St. Petersburg next spring, and to attend the next Nevsky International Ecological Congress.

Alexey Sergeev also spoke on the importance of MPs contacts during monitoring missions at elections. Acting Director of IIMDD IPA CIS Dmitry Gladey added that common election observation activities facilitated better understanding of various monitoring practices and building standards of these important activities.

Josep-Maria Terricabras expressed confidence that EP and IPA CIS needed to develop their cooperation further and willingness to contribute in organizing the international conference on terrorism.