mseap

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Declarations

Board View
SUBJECT ANTALYA STATEMENT - 3rd Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments
DATE 2018-10-15
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Antalya Statement_3rd MSEAP.docx

1. We, the leaders and the representatives of the parliaments, gathered in Antalya, Turkey on October 8-11, 2018 to participate in the 3rd Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments under the theme of “Economic Cooperation, Environment and Sustainable Development in Eurasia”.

 

2. Bearing in mind the role of parliaments in creating an atmosphere to discuss issues candidly and following up on the results of previous meetings in Moscow and Seoul, we exchanged views on the means of promoting inter-parliamentary diplomacy to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in Eurasia.

 

3. Recognizing the significance of the development of the Eurasian region, we pledge to intensify joint efforts in terms of legislative support and to explore possibilities to elaborate stronger partnership in Eurasia for a future of shared, inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity by promoting cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest, such as logistics, customs procedural harmonization, intermodal connectivity, networks and infrastructure, ease of doing business and transfer of technology with due respect to the relevant legislations of each country.

 

4. Believing in the broad development prospects of our countries and the vast potential of cooperation, we reiterate our commitment to strengthening partnerships for common development. We reaffirm our joint willingness to explore new areas towards a comprehensive cooperation and a closer economic partnership, related to priority areas such as trade and investment, manufacturing and minerals processing, energy, agriculture, infrastructure connectivity, financial and economic cooperation, science, technology and innovation, and information and communication technologies, among others.

 

5. We take note of the desire of willing countries to encourage the use of new ways to facilitate trade and economic activities through local means.

 

6. We recognize that the multilateral trading system is facing unprecedented challenges. We voice our commitment to an open world economy with efficient allocation of resources, free flow of goods and services, and fair and orderly competition, supporting sustainable development and prosperity of all countries.

 

7. We reaffirm our support for an open, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO. We, those who represent WTO member states’ parliaments, reiterate our commitments to ensure implementation and enforcement of existing WTO rules and are determined to work together to further strengthen the WTO, rejecting trade practices incompatible with its principles.

 

8. We note the importance of joint efforts of interested countries, international organizations and associations for coordinating national development strategies and multilateral integration projects, including those implemented through the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, within the Belt and Road Initiative, ASEAN Connectivity, and during the ongoing negotiations on the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in order to form a mutually beneficial, open and equal partnership in the Eurasia area.

 

9. We encourage full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in accordance with the national rules and regulations. We will advocate equitable, open, innovation-driven and inclusive development, to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030 in its three dimensions - economic, social and environmental - in a balanced and integrated manner. We support the important role of the United Nations, including the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), in coordinating and reviewing global implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and support the effective implementation of reform of the UN Development System with a view to enhancing its capability in supporting Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

 

10. We recognize the importance of the role of the Parliaments in prioritizing environment-related challenges such as climate change, drought, deforestation, desertification, land degradation, natural disasters, loss of biological diversity, water scarcity in the national agendas in line with the Sustainable Development Goals with a view to enhancing close cooperation and coordinated measures among Eurasian countries in terms of adaptation and resilience building to combat adverse effects of these challenges.

 

11. Recalling the Paris Agreement that aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, we reiterate our commitment to fulfilling the responsibility of parliaments for the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions including through environmentally friendly legislative measures and budgeting for programs to reduce greenhouse emissions, where appropriate.

 

12. We stand committed to the resolution of conflicts by peaceful means without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. In this regard, we fully recognize the central role of the United Nations in promoting and strengthening international peace and security.

 

13. Believing that there could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict, we support efforts aimed at advancing the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process for reaching a political settlement in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We call upon all parties to the Syrian conflict to avoid actions that could threaten the civilian population which would impede the creation of conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of residence in Syria.

 

14. We respect the commitment of the two Koreas to dialogue for a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula including inter-Korean summits. We agree on the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through continued dialogue and support comprehensive approach and cooperation to establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

 

15. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, organizations and manifestations, regardless of race and religion. We acknowledge the necessity of a comprehensive and sustained response to the threat of terrorism and extremism. Believing that no state can address this threat alone, we pledge to work together to protect our citizens, strengthen global security, foster stability, and help create the conditions for long- term success.

 

16. Recognizing that cybersecurity is a cross-cutting issue that requires coordinated efforts to address effectively and the cyber domain potentially represents an opportunity for significant regional economic and technological development, we affirm the need to build closer cooperation and coordination in Eurasia on cybersecurity issues including policy development, confidence building measures and capacity building initiatives. We welcome the call made by the State of Qatar in cooperation with UN agencies to convene and host an International Conference on cyber security.

 

17. Extending our sincere appreciation to the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey for hosting and organizing the 3rd Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments, and acknowledging the efforts of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on initiating MSEAP and co-hosting the meeting, we agreed to accept the invitation of the Republic of Kazakhstan to host the 4th Meeting in 2019.