Participation of the PABSEC Delegation in the Conference on Countering International Terrorism, St. Petersburg, 18 April 2019

The PABSEC Delegation composed of Mr. Ogtay Asadov, PABSEC President, Chairman of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the Conference on Countering International Terrorism organized by the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS together with leading international parliamentary organizations in the Tavrycheski Palace, St. Petersburg, on 18 April 2019.

The Conference was opened and chaired by Mrs. Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council, Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The Conference was attended by heads of parliamentary delegations from the IPA CIS member countries and heads and representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Interparliamentary Union, as well as the United Nations Organization.

The Conference was held in the framework of four thematic sessions: “The Role of International Institutions in Building a Common Strategy on Counter Terrorism”, “Foreign Terrorist Fighters: Modern Problems and Practices of Criminal Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration”, “Preventing Illegal Use of Network Technologies, Mass Media and Social Networks to Spread Extremist Ideas”, and “Stepping-up Efforts against the Financing of Terrorism and Extremism”. The Conference ended with the adoption of the final document - “Conclusions of the Organizers of the Conference on Countering International Terrorism”.

On the same day, 18 April, the Meeting of the Council of the IPA CIS was held, where Mrs. Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, was re-elected as the Chairperson of the IPA CIS. At the same time, the candidature of Mr. Dmitry Kobitsky, was temporarily occupying this position, was approved to the position of Secretary General - Head of the Secretariat of the IPA CIS Council.

Mr. Ogtay Asadov, PABSEC President, Chairman of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan handed over to Mrs. Valentina Matvienko the PABSEC Medal of Honour, which she was awarded for the outstanding contribution to the development of the PABSEC and invited her to the 53th PABSEC General Assembly to be held in Baku in June 2019.

The PABSEC Secretary General met with the Secretary General of the IPA CIS. Mr. Asaf Hajiyev congratulated his colleague on the election to the high post. During the Meeting the issues of mutual interest were discussed. The sides agreed to hold a joint event in the future with the participation of other international parliamentary assemblies.