The PABSEC Participation in the 38th Session of the Baltic Assembly, Riga, 28-29 November 2019
The PABSEC Delegation composed of Mr. Symeon Kedikoglu, PABSEC Vice-President and Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation, and Mr. Petar Kanev, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, participated in the 38th Session of the Baltic Assembly in Riga on 28-29 November 2019.
At the opening ceremony the participants were addressed by Ms Inara Murniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, Mr. Henn Polluaas, President of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia, Mr. Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, and Mr. Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland. Mr. Janis Vucans, President of the Baltic Assembly, presented the Report on the implementation of the Latvian Presidency Programme.
During the Session the parliamentarians discussed current affairs and cooperation of the Baltic States, common energy market, synchronisation of the Baltic electricity networks with the continental European network, Baltic cooperation in higher education, healthcare, the Baltic hydrogen perspective, etc.
Mr. Symeon Kedikoglu, PABSEC Vice-President and Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation, addressed the Assembly on behalf of the PABSEC. He underlined the important geopolitical role of the Black Sea region as a bridge between Asia and Europe at the intersection of the main transport routes for energy resources. He noted that strengthening cooperation and good neighbourly relations is a condition for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity not only in a specific region but throughout the world. He expressed the hope that all countries contribute to building a peaceful future. He emphasized that confrontations never bring any good to anyone, and in this regard noted that the Baltic and Black Seas should unite and not divide people.
On the sidelines of the Session, the PABSEC delegation met with Mr. Janis Vukans, President of the BA, Mr. Aad Must, the future President of the BA, and Mr. Bodo Bahr, Secretary General of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, and discussed prospects for cooperation with the PABSEC.
At the end of the Session, the Presidency in the Baltic Assembly passed from Latvia to Estonia, and Mr. Aad Must, Head of the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly, became the President of the BA. The Session adopted the Resolution and the Final Document of the 38th Session of the Baltic Assembly.
It was decided to hold the next 39th Session of the Baltic Assembly in Tallinn on 5-6 November 2020.