PABSEC Participation in the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Berlin, 27-29 August 2023

Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the 32nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), which took place on 27-29 August 2023 in Berlin in the building of the German Bundestag.

The main topic of the Conference was “Strengthening the Resilience of the Democratic Baltic Sea Region”. At the opening of the Conference, the participants were addressed by Ms. Barbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag, and Mr. Johannes Schraps, BSPC President and member of the German Bundestag. The meeting was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of international organizations and the diplomatic corps, as well as experts.

The following issues were discussed within the framework of the Conference: peaceful and reliable neighbourliness and intense cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region on the basis of fundamental values, boosting democratic resilience and promoting digital resilience, strengthening the resilience of maritime ecosystems, and strengthening the resilience of climate and biodiversity.

In his speech, Mr. A. Hajiyev noted the issues of mutual interest, such as the problem of refugees, food security, and grain exports. The PABSEC Secretary General also spoke about the activities of the PABSEC in the anniversary year and about the events dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Assembly.

During the meeting with Mr. Johannes Schraps, BSPC President, Ms. Carola Veit, President of the Hamburg Parliament, and Mr. Bodo Bahr, BSPC Secretary General, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, exchanged views on the problem of refugees. The wish was expressed to consider the possibility to organise a joint event on refugee problems.

During the conversation with Ms. Manuela Schwesig, Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the PABSEC Secretary General, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, briefly informed about the activities and the structure of the PABSEC. The prospects for cooperation between the PABSEC and the BSPC were discussed.

On 28 August 2023, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev took part in the reception hosted by Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier,  Federal President of Germany.