The Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council commented on the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which opened in St Petersburg today.
Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, who chairs the Organising Committee of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, commented on the start of the forum.
“Although it is the tenth forum, it can be regarded as pioneering in many respects. It is launching the BRICS parliamentary dimension in full measure,” the senator said.
He recalled that the documents establishing the parliamentary dimension of BRICS were only signed during the previous chairmanship of the South African Republic. “Today, we have started working within the framework of the documents adopted in Johannesburg a year ago, implementing them and boosting their development.”
Konstantin Kosachev said that two documents would be adopted at the forum, a protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding on the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which covers issues concerning the essence, organisation and procedure of interparliamentary cooperation, and the forum’s declaration.
“The declaration will set out fundamental issues such as respect for international law, the implicit equality of all parties to international cooperation, non-interference in internal affairs, and joint action against new challenges and threats. Ultimately, this document will work to the benefit of all humankind,” the deputy speaker said.
According to Konstantin Kosachev, another distinguishing feature of the Parliamentary Frum in St Petersburg is its expanded format because the BRICS’ membership has doubled after new countries have joined it. “This offers new opportunities because new members have not only increased the group’s membership but also strengthened its prestige and influence in the world,” he pointed out.