PFD ACTIVITY REPORT TO THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES, (4 March 2015, Geneva)

ACTIVITY REPORT
OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY
TO THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES

 (4 March 2015, Geneva)

1.               ACTIVITY REPORT (JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2015)

1. The Parliamentary Forum for Democracy condemned murder of Russian politician, opposition leader Mr. Boris Nemtsov. Zingeris claimed this loss is meaningful as it marks the end of efforts to stop Russia from taking imperial, anti-Western and anti-democratic path of political decisions.
2. Parliamentary Forum for Democracy delegation, consisting of the President Emanuelis Zingeris, Ambassador at Large Skaiste Aniuliene and PFD Acting Secretary General Viktorija Braziunaite met with the Community of Democracies Secretary General Maria Leissner and discussed joint projects, further cooperation and upcoming ministerial meeting in El Salvador.
3. President of the PFD Mr. Zingeris participated in European Council discussion and voting on returning Russian delegation its powers. While he was delivering a speech, he reminded parliamentarians the fact that Russia did not fulfill any obligations which were drawn before joining the organization. Mr. Zingeris added that if Europe justified aggression towards other countries, Pandora‘s Box would be opened which would mean a threat to sovereignty of all European countries.
4. The Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, Signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, and the former Member of the European Parliament and PFD Member of the Governing Council Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis presented his book "Guilt and Atonement. The Story of 13 January" at the Parliament (Seimas) of Lithuania, where freedom was defended 24 years ago.
5. Parliamentary Forum for Democracy condemned terrorist attack in Paris and expressed deep condolences to the families of killed people. PFD President invited all democrats to unite „against the belligerent radicals that were dragging the world back to the Middle Ages“.

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In 2009–2011, Lithuania chaired the Community of Democracies, an intergovernmental coalition, which was established in Warsaw on 25–27 June 2000 under the initiative of the former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and the Polish Foreign Minister, Bronislaw Geremek. Today it comprises more than 100 democracies or developing democracies, pursuing to strengthen democratic standards and practices worldwide.

When marking the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s Independence in 2010, the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy (hereinafter referred to as the PFD) was established by adopting the Vilnius Declaration. The Vilnius Declaration was signed by 43 parliamentarians from 18 countries who committed themselves to work together to strengthen democracy where it is weak and invigorate it even where it is longstanding, to promote peace, development, human rights and freedoms, gender equality, and equal opportunities in their respective countries and around the world. (Vilnius Declaration, 12 March 2010)

When Mongolia took over the presidency of the Community of Democracies in 2011, Lithuania committed itself to fully support its parliamentary dimension in front of the international community. Consequently, the PFD was officially registered in Vilnius on 2 August 2011.

The PFD currently complements the cooperation between the governments of the Community of Democracies and non-governmental organizations. PFD members meet each year to prepare proposals for the development of democracy in the world as well as to share their experience of parliamentary work with countries heading towards democracy and groups seeking democracy in authoritarian regimes. They also aim to reinforce democracy in their countries. One of the main objectives of the Forum is to strengthen the role of the parliament as one of the most important public institutions ensuring democratic governance.

The Lithuanian Parliament assists the PFD by providing an office and covering all expenses related to the maintenance of the office. On special occasions it will be possible to use other parliamentary facilities and services in order to organize international meetings, seminars, conferences, teleconferences or similar events.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides support to different international projects aimed at strengthening development of democracy.

Parliamentary Forum for Democracy

www.parliamentary-forum.org

info@ parliamentary-forum.org

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