Martin Schulz: European Parliament may serve as a model for a UN Parliamentary Assembly
On the occasion of the 5th International Meeting on a UN Parliamentary Assembly that started yesterday in Brussels with sessions in the European Parliament, the European Parliament's President Martin Schulz issued the following greetings to the participants:
On the occasion of the 5th International Meeting on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, I cordially welcome you to Brussels and the European Parliament. The fact that the European Parliament is host to this important meeting for the second time underlines the parliament's important role and exemplary function.
In 1994, the European Parliament was the first parliamentary body in the world to endorse the proposal of a UN Parliamentary Assembly. Most recently, in a resolution adopted in 2011, the European Parliament called on the Council of the European Union to advocate for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly within the UN system. According to this recommendation, the assembly would serve the purpose “to increase the democratic character, the democratic accountability and the transparency of global governance and to allow for better citizen participation in the activities of the UN.” Since then, this House has continued to call, both in words and deeds, for enhanced democratisation of the UN system and for promoting greater participation of parliamentarians in global activities for the benefit of our citizens.
The European Parliament may serve as a model for how this global purpose of a UN Parliamentary Assembly could develop over time. What once began as an advisory body composed of national parliamentarians is a directly elected legislature today, even if the development is still ongoing. We are delighted that the example of the European Parliament is inspiring and encouraging the efforts for democratizing the UN system and global governance. I strongly believe that more interaction on global issues between governments and parliaments would strengthen global governance and allow for greater public and parliamentary participation in the activities of the UN.
I wish you a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Brussels.
More information on the meeting will follow soon.