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On 29-31 October 2024, the members of the Baltic Assembly participated in the Session of the Nordic Council to be held in Reykjavik, Iceland.
President of the Baltic Assembly Andrius Kupčinskas addressed the Session by highlighting that supporting Ukraine is more than just an act of solidarity. “The Ukrainian people are making incredible sacrifices to defend their homes and families against Russian aggression. By giving military, humanitarian, and financial aid, we are not only easing their suffering but also standing up for justice and the right of nations to decide their own future. Their bravery and resilience deserve our full support,” said Andrius Kupčinskas.
He also made it clear that support for Ukraine is not just about humanitarian aid or military assistance. “It is about sending a clear message to the world that aggression and tyranny will not be tolerated. By continuing to support Ukraine, we are defending the core principles of democracy, human rights, and peace.”
During the Session of the Nordic Council, the parliamentarians had the opportunity to hear the address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He highlighted that the strong people of Ukraine deserve peace, not just a temporary pause on the terror that Russia has brought. “Ukrainians have the right to true and lasting peace," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that Ukraine has not wasted a single day to achieve this goal. He highlighted that the free world has everything it needs to defend itself, and it is now necessary to act and restore peace in Europe. The President of Ukraine encouraged the participants of the Nordic Council Session to make decisions that would bring long-lasting peace to the region.
During the Session also the international seminar “The Way Forward to a Democratic Belarus – the Role of Nordic and International Parliamentarians” was held with the participation of Belarusian political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. She explained that the Belarusian regime might look invincible, but it is not true. It is a three-legged chair that stands on money, repressions and Russia. If one of the legs collapses, the whole regime will, she continued, encouraging the countries to support Belarusian opposition and civil society in this fight.
The Session is Nordic inter-parliamentary co-operation’s supreme decision-making body. It is a form of regional cooperation that brings together MPs who sit on the Nordic Council and government ministers. The main theme for the Session this year is "Peace and security in the Arctic”. A potential update of the Helsinki Treaty is also on the agenda."
The Baltic Assembly at the Session of the Nordic Council is represented by President Andrius Kupčinskas, Member of the Presidium Orinta Leiputė and Vice Chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee Jānis Grasbergs.
Read more here.
Photos
© Secriteriat of the Baltic Assembly
