Damascus hosts 16th European-Arab parliamentary dialogue

Secretary General of the Arab Parliamentary Union Noureddine Bouchkouj said the 16th conference for European - Arab parliamentary dialogue to be convened in Damascus on July 11 - 13 is important for explaining Arab issues in European parliaments through the members taking part in the conference.

In a press conference on Wednesday, he added that some 18 Arab parliamentary delegations and 17 Arab parliaments in addition to representatives of the Arab League, the European Parliament, the European Parliamentary League and other relevant regional and international parliamentary institutions are taking part.

He added that the conference will discuss the role played by Arab and European parliamentarians in supporting the Middle East peace process, according to UN Security Council resolutions and in lifting the controls imposed on certain states by the UN. He highlighted the key role of these parliamentarians in boosting Arab - European trade, avoiding the adverse consequences of globalization and mutual respect for cultural values between the Arabs and the Europeans.

Bouchkouj said the European parliamentarians who are taking part in the conference are members of the parliamentary league for Arab - European cooperation. He added that this league is known for its positive positions towards Arab issues, especially in supporting the Arab efforts to restore their usurped rights and lands.

European parliamentarians from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland Italy, Malta, Norway, Holland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Britain are taking part in the conference.