Participation of the PABSEC Delegation in the International Conference “Diversity in Unity and Fundamental Freedoms for Christians and Muslims in the Middle East: A Conference for Parliamentary Dialogue”, Beirut, Lebanon, 3-4 April 2018
During 3-4 April 2018, the PABSEC delegation composed of Mr. Konstantinos Morfidis, Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, participated in the International Conference “Diversity in Unity and Fundamental Freedoms for Christians and Muslims in the Middle East: A Conference for Parliamentary Dialogue” held in Beirut, Lebanon. This Conference was organized by the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.) and the Parliament of Lebanon in collaboration with the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Mr. Nabih Berry, President of the Lebanese Parliament, addressed the participants at the Inaugural Ceremony.
The participants delivered their national statements, recognizing the need for a constructive political and interreligious dialogue, which would ensure the elimination of the religious fundamentalism and the violent extremism. It was noted that the parliamentarism represents an important factor of intermediation between peoples and their leaderships, at political and at religious levels. Therefore, it was stressed that parliaments are required to construct a solid relation of trust with the civil societies. The participants expressed the willingness to contribute to the consolidation of the concept of international peace and security and to promote policies for peace today and of the future.
Mr. Hajiyev, in his address, underlined the importance of the Black Sea region in the world and informed the participants about the problems of the BSEC region, particularly about the refugees issue. He also stressed the role of religion in solving these problems and informed that the Assembly adopted a Report and a Recommendation titled "Role of Religion in Fight against Terrorism and Extremism". The PABSEC Secretary General pointed out that the peoples of the world should join their efforts in order to firmly combat terrorism and extremism, also respecting the values of democracy, of the rule of law, the human rights and the social justice and, in order to achieve this objective, the religions should help us. At the same time, they should combat the ideologies and the practices of intolerance and discrimination, promoting the mutual respect and the friendship among the citizens of the world.
At the end of the Conference, the participants adopted the Declaration on “Unity in diversity and basic freedom principles for Christians and Muslims in the Middle East: Parliamentary dialogue conference”.
During the Conference, the Exhibition of Mount Athos engravings: “Virgin Mariam Icon from Her Holy Garden Mount Athos”, took place at the Beit Beirut Museum.