The message reads, in part:
“Your forum has convened parliamentary delegations, the leaders of political parties, public figures and experts from many countries, as well as representatives of international organisations. This impressive format is evidence of the high prestige of your forum. It also means that you can hold practical discussions on a wide range of current issues, from the fight against terrorism and illegal migration, to information security to the applied aspects of current law-making and the development of democratic representative bodies.
I would like to say that parliaments around the world play a major part in the improvement of national legislation and in the search for appropriate answers to modern challenges and threats. This explains the high demand for parliamentary diplomacy. It can strengthen trust among nations and positively influence the settlement of the most painful international and regional problems.”
Over 500 international participants are taking part in the forum, including MPs and experts from 96 countries, as well as 58 official parliamentary delegations and representatives of 11 international parliamentary associations.