Call to reactivate role of parliamentary diplomacy

‘Bridge gap among lawmakers’

KUWAIT CITY, May 25, (KUNA): A Kuwaiti MP called for reactivating the role of parliamentary diplomacy in Arab and Muslim countries through holding overseas conferences and exchanging visits among lawmakers to create closeness regarding issues of mutual concern.

MP Fares Saad Al-Otaibi made on Tuesday the statement, a copy of which was received by KUNA, in a speech during an international forum on “new challenges of parliamentary diplomacy” hosted by Algeria.

Al-Otaibi stressed that the modern concept of diplomacy was no longer based on the role of government and official bodies in light of parliamentary diplomacy’s role.

He said there is a great responsibility upon speakers of Arab and Muslim legislatures in expanding bridges of communications among lawmakers.

He lauded, in this respect, the role of Speaker of National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim while heading the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union and his efforts aimed to create closeness among Arab and Muslim countries to help face challenges and extremism, and support a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.

In addition to its legislative role, National Assembly also contributes to setting the State’s policy in line with the government role and the stances of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah aiming at achieving Arab interests and settling conflicts.

He affirmed that parliamentary diplomacy is consistent with the State’s official diplomacy in light of clear goals and visions.

Algerian parliament is organizing the two-day forum supervised by Speaker Mohammad Al-Arabi and attended by some members of diplomatic corps in Algiers.