The APA Standing Committee Meeting on Political Affairs held its meeting at Sokha Siem Reap hotel on 1st December 2016. The meeting was chaired Mian Raza Rabbani, President of the Senate of Pakistan, with H.E. Mr. Nhem Thavy, the representative of the Cambodian parliamentary delegation acting as vice-chair, and H.E. Mr. Nocolaos Tarnaritis, head of the delegation of Cyprus, as rapporteur, and His Excellency APA Deputy Secretary General as moderator.

During the meeting, the delegations from Asian member parliaments asked all APA member states to stand united to fight against terrorism and violent extremism currently seen in some countries. In addition, delegates requested all countries for not applying double standard in dealing with the fight against terrorism, while they strongly condemned violent extremism.

Delegates in the meeting have also raised the violence erupting in Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, Palestine and Afghanistan and so forth as an example.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian delegation, which is headed by H.E. Mr. Pen Pannha, Chairman of the Commission on Legislation and Justice of the National Assembly and Chairman of the APA Standing Committee on Political Affairs of the Cambodian parliament, was attending the meeting.

The said APA Standing Committee discussed five draft resolutions as follows:

1-   Draft Resolution on Building Prosperity in Asia Through Friendship and Cooperation.

2-   Draft Resolution on Asian Parliaments and Governments Together for Prosperity in Asia.

3-   Draft Resolution on United Against Terrorism and Violent Extremism

4-   Resolution on Significant Political Developments in Asia.

5-   Draft Resolution on Asian Parliaments Unwavering Support for Palestinian People.

Article and photos by courtesy of the Information Department