The Shura Council State of Qatar

The joint statement of the Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments welcomed the invitation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to hold an international conference on cybersecurity hosted by the State of Qatar, in his address to the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York recently.

At the end of their two-day meeting in Antalya, Turkey, the Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments commended the invitation and the holding of the conference in Doha because the issue of cybersecurity is of great importance as a cross-cutting issue requiring concerted efforts to deal effectively with it.

The participants stressed in the joint statement that cyberspace represents a potential opportunity for economic development and regional technology, stressing the need for closer cooperation and coordination in Eurasia on cybersecurity issues, including confidence-building measures in policy development and capacity-building initiatives. They also stressed the importance of the call made by the State of Qatar in cooperation with non-governmental agencies to convene and host an international conference on cybersecurity.

The third meeting of the Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments was concluded today with the participation of HE Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, and his accompanying delegation at the two-day meeting entitled "Economic Cooperation, Environment, and Sustainable Development in Eurasia".

The joint statement stressed the intensification of joint efforts in terms of legislative support and exploring the possibilities of a stronger partnership in Eurasia, with inclusive and sustainable growth and prosperity through enhanced cooperation in various areas of common interest such as logistics, networking, infrastructure, ease of doing business and technology transfer with due respect for legislation in each country.

They also emphasized the commitment to strengthening partnerships for common development and desire to explore new areas for comprehensive cooperation and closer economic partnership on priority areas such as trade, investment, industrialization, metal processing, energy and agriculture, infrastructure linkage, financial and economic cooperation, science, technology, innovation, ICT and others.

The final statement of the meeting also expressed commitment to an open global economy with the efficient allocation of resources, free flow of goods and services, fair and orderly competition and support for sustainable development and prosperity in all countries.

The statement further emphasized the support for an open, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent multilateral trading system based on the rules embodied in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The statement added that the representatives of the parliaments of the WTO member States reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the implementation and application of the existing rules of WTO and to work together to strengthen the organization and reject trade practices that were contrary to its principles.

Participants also drew attention to the importance of joint efforts of interested countries, organizations and internal associations to coordinate national development strategies and multilateral integration projects, including those implemented through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization, within the Belt and Road Initiative and during the negotiations on the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in order to form a useful, open and equal partnership in the Eurasia region.

The participants in the third meeting of the heads of parliaments of the European and Asian countries (Eurasia) in Antalya Turkey encouraged the full implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development in accordance with national laws and regulations. They affirmed their commitment to the call for equitable, open, innovative and inclusive development in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development by 2030 in the three areas of economic, social and environmental development, in a balanced and integrated manner.

They also expressed support for the important role of the United Nations, including the high-level political forum, in coordinating and reviewing the global application of the 2030 agenda and supporting the effective implementation of the reform of the United Nations development system in order to strengthen its capacity to support Member States in the implementation of the General Agenda 2030.

The statement also stressed the importance of the role of parliaments in prioritizing environment-related challenges such as climate change, drought, deforestation, desertification, land degradation, natural disasters and loss of water biological diversity in national agendas in line with sustainability development objectives, in order to promote close cooperation and coordinated action among Eurasia countries, in terms of adaptation and capacity-building to address the negative impacts of these challenges.

The statement stressed the commitment to meeting the responsibilities of parliaments on the implementation of specific national contributions, including taking environmentally friendly actions and budgeting for greenhouse and gas reduction programs.

It also stressed the obligation to resolve conflicts peacefully, without resorting to the threat of force in accordance with the internationally recognized principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, noting in this context the central role of the United Nations in the promotion of international peace and security.

The statement also expressed support for the efforts exerted to strengthen the peace process owned and led by the Syrians to reach a political settlement, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 in the belief that there will be no military solution in the Syrian conflict. It called on all parties to the Syrian conflict to avoid acts threatening the civilians, which would hinder the creation of conditions for the voluntary and safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of residence in Syria.

In their statement, the participants welcomed the commitment of the two Koreas to dialogue for a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, including inter-Korean summits, stressing their support for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue and support for a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula.

They also expressed condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of race and religion, stressing the need for a comprehensive and sustained response to the threat of terrorism and extremism, believing that no nation can confront this threat on its own. They stressed the need to work together to protect citizens, enhance global security and stability and help create conditions for long-term success.

Participants agreed to hold the fourth meeting in Kazakhstan in 2019. They noted the efforts of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey to host and organize the third meeting of the heads of parliaments of Eurasia. They also praised the efforts of the National Assembly of South Korea and the Russian State Duma for their joint initiative and hosing the previous meetings of heads of parliaments of Eurasia.

Advisory Council delegation participated in the finalization of the draft final statement in the drafting committee of the joint statement.