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On 14-16 April 2024, Member of the Presidium Enn Eesmaa participated in the 66th Plenary Session of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) that was held in Wicklow.
Formed in 1990, BIPA creates a forum for British and Irish lawmakers to foster closer ties by developing mutual understanding. As relations have improved since the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, it has now expanded activities to make policy proposals on issues of mutual interest to both Governments through the four committees of the organisation.
Member of the BA Presidium Enn Eesmaa addressed the parliamentarians from Britain and Ireland in their Plenary Session, highlighting the benefits of further cooperation and exchange of best practices, for example, in the field of energy. He also reminded the members of BIPA about the importance of supporting Ukraine and added that the Baltic States have always been active supporters of the country.
It is the first time both organisations – Baltic Assembly and BIPA - met to among other issues discuss possible future cooperation. Enn Eesmaa also discussed the importance of parliamentary cooperation with Irish Co-Chair Brendan Smith and British Co-Chair and head of the UK Parliament delegation Dame Karen Bradley.
The Plenary Session of BIPA was dedicated to the cooperation of Britain and Ireland in the tourism and energy sectors. The cooperation of the Baltic States in both these areas is high on the agenda of the Baltic Assembly as well, therefore, learning about the best practices during the Plenary Session is important for the future work of the Baltic Assembly.
Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris addressed the participants of the event and also kindly welcomed the Baltic Assembly to his home county of Wicklow. Simon Harris highlighted how the cooperation of Britain and Ireland has changed nowadays, and also added that the global political context is more relevant to both countries than ever.
The Plenary Session also addressed promoting diplomatic relations between the nations. BIPA adopted the Resolution on the conflict in Ukraine, condemning in the strongest terms Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Parliamentary Assembly stands in solidarity with the Verkhovna Rada and unreservedly supports the freedom of the people of Ukraine.
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© Secretariat of the Baltic Assembly
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