Lawmakers agree to strengthen Asian-African cooperation
After the leaders of Asian and African countries issued a declaration after their two-day summit on Thursday, lawmakers from over 30 countries issued their own statement to the public to convey their commitment to promoting peace and prosperity on the two continents.
Their commitment, documented in the Asian-African Parliamentary Declaration, was the result of their discussion during Thursday’s Asia-Africa Parliamentary Conference, held on the sidelines of the Asian-African Conference Commemoration (AACC).
The declaration endorses 25 points grouped in three main clusters: solidarity with Palestine, peace and prosperity and Asia-Africa cooperation.
The document also underlines the importance of endorsing mutual support in various inter-parliamentary forums and supporting the idea of establishing a permanent Asian and African parliamentary group.
Earlier in his opening speech at the event, House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto highlighted the importance of such a declaration for the collective development of Asian and African nations.
“We hope the declaration responds to the era of globalization by inviting all participants to build a new partnership in implementing the world’s post-2015 development agenda, strengthening South-South cooperation and promoting peace and prosperity,” said Setya.
In each session, representatives from participating delegations were invited to present their views on discussed issues.
In a session discussing regional partnership, Kenyan parliament member Christopher Nakuleu, for example, highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to combat terrorism, citing the recent shooting at a Kenyan college by an Islamic militant group that resulted in the deaths of 148 people.
“Peace and security are the backbone for the development and prosperity of the two regions,” he said.
In a session on Palestine, Malaysian parliament member Irmohizam bin Ibrahim, meanwhile, pointed out the importance of exchange visits to support Palestine’s efforts to establish a sovereign country following the decades-long Israeli occupation.
“Malaysia would like to encourage more exchange visits, particularly between private sectors. Such interactions are important in promoting greater understanding between the countries while at the same time explain new areas of future cooperation and collaboration,” he said.
Golkar Party lawmaker and BKSAP deputy chief Meutya Hafid, who was involved in the drafting of the declaration, said among the document’s 25 points, those related to support on Palestinian independence had received much attention from participating delegation.
“Several countries, for example, questioned to what extent our support for Palestinian independence should be,” she said, citing a point in the document that urges the immediate release of terminally sick Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons as an example.
Despite the lawmakers’ support on the establishment of a permanent Asia-Africa parliamentary forum, Meutya, however, said the idea would need more effort to be materialized.
“We haven’t discussed when and where the follow-up meeting of the conference will take place. Several participants also need some time to consult with their parliament speakers about the idea,” she said.
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