PA Speaker Urges Asian Parliaments to Unite, Cooperate against Terrorism and Extremism

ISLAMABAD, (ST)- Syria is taking part in the activities of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) which kicked off Tuesday morning in the Pakistani Capital Islamabad.

 The political situation in Asia, particularly issue relating to international terrorism, economic cooperation and the creation of an Asian parliament are main topics of discussions.

In her statement during the meeting of APA’s Special Committee on Creation of Asian Parliament (SCCAP) held in Islamabad, the Syrian People’s Assembly Speaker Hadiyah Abbas said “today, more than ever, we need cooperation and unity against the growing challenges represented in the chaos, terrorism and extremism which have targeted several places in our continent.”

She asserted the need to support the Asian Parliamentary Assembly’s constant efforts to boost cooperation among Asian countries and boost parliamentary friendship in support of the opportunities of attaining peace and maintaining security and stability in the region and the entire world,” Abbas added.

 The PA speaker talked about the terrorist war imposed on Syria, stressing that “there is no good terrorism and bad terrorism, so, cooperation of the world countries is a must as to confront this danger which threatens all”.

She urged effective international cooperation against terrorism in accordance with the Security Council resolutions and the principles of the international law and in coordination with the countries which are facing terrorism.

Abbas said that the countries involved in supporting terrorist organizations in Syria and other countries should stop their wrong policies because “history will write down these events and peoples will judge their governments”.

She talked about Syria’s achievements in the fight against terrorism in cooperation with its friends and allies, including Russia, Iran and all the countries, governments and forces that supported Syria politically, militarily and economically in its battle to eliminate terrorism.

“These achievements constitute the base for restoring security and stability in Syria. This is the vision that pushes us to take part in Geneva and Astana meetings and in other dialogue initiatives and that encourages national reconciliation efforts by the Syrian government,” Abbas said.

According to the PA Speaker, the unilateral coercive economic measures imposed on the Syrian people are not less dangerous than the terrorist war.  Both caused the suffering of the Syrian people, she said, urging the Asian parliaments to support Syria’s call for lifting these measures, to issue a statement in this regard, to adopt supportive procedures and to back the Syrian government’s efforts as to provide relief assistance to the internally displaced citizens and to attain reconciliation in different Syrian areas.

Abbas said the Syrian people’s Assembly is looking forward to establishing an Asian parliament as a step forward to reach effective regional cooperation that helps achieve the hoped-for goals.

Hamda Mustafa