RA NA Speaker Alen Simonyan gave a speech at the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
"Before starting my speech, I would like to state that we strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Moscow, which took many lives. I offer my condolences to the relatives of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
I am pleased to welcome you to Geneva after a gap of five years. The issues discussed in the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly will contribute to the peace, security, and stability that the organization seeks. I would also like to congratulate Ms. Tulia Axon on her election as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and wish her success in her mission.
Parliamentary diplomacy has become a force in international relations. It promotes stronger relations between states through interparliamentary dialogue, exchange of ideas, and cooperation. Such efforts contribute to the formation of trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation between countries.
There has been a lot of talk lately about "soft" power. In this regard, I would like to note that parliamentary delegations and the exchange of ideas contribute to public diplomacy efforts, strengthening the country's "soft" power. By cooperating with foreign partners, parliamentarians can shape public opinion abroad, create networking, and create a positive image for their country abroad.
The National Assembly of Armenia, under my leadership, emphasizes parliamentary diplomacy. Armenian MPs are involved in various inter-parliamentary assemblies and collaborate with their counterparts to create strong ties and promote mutual understanding.
The MPs are doing their best to contribute to the peace process. The security of the region and the development of defense capabilities are a priority for Armenia. Our country strives to restore regional transit roads and infrastructure. We believe that the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Armenian government will invigorate economic ties in the region and positively impact the overall security situation.
As a vivid example of parliamentary diplomacy, I would like to mention the recent visits of the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr. Martin Chungong, to Armenia and Azerbaijan to understand the situation in the South Caucasus region. After his visit, the General Secretary proposed to organize a tripartite meeting between him, me, and the Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan. The meeting took place on March 22 here in Geneva.
You may not be aware that the 10th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians will take place in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, from September 12 to 14, 2024. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to invite young MPs to participate in the conference. It will allow them to personally get to know and learn about our beautiful country and deepen the ties established between them in the true spirit of parliamentary diplomacy."
