Parliament hosted meetings of standing committees and Bureau of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

Parliament hosted the meetings of the standing committees and the Bureau of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. Participants discussed developments within the Eastern Partnership, security in the region, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as prospects for the enlargement of the European Union.

In the opening of the meetings, Speaker Igor Grosu referred to how things have evolved since Russia started its war against Ukraine. “These developments show us how quickly things can derail. They show us that democracy is not a final point that has been reached, but a process that must be defended every day. And, perhaps most importantly, they show us that the European choice is not irreversible if it is not constantly supported by strong institutions and by the engagement of society,” he emphasized.

The official also spoke about the importance of cooperation, which should not be limited to dialogue and the exchange of experience. “All these developments actually show us the same thing: the enlargement of the European Union and security cannot be separated. They are part of the same effort to build a Europe that is more stable, more coherent, and more capable of protecting its values. And this depends on each of us – on the ability to carry out reforms at home, but also on the ability to remain consistent, united, and clear‑headed in the decisions that we take together,” said Grosu.

“It is very important to focus on what we can do together. In this regard, I see respect and connectivity between the countries in the region and the European Union,” said Maria Karapetyan, Co‑President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and Head of the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Armenia to Euronest PA.

“We must think ahead, in a new way. That is why I believe this year will be the year of reforming the Eastern Partnership agenda – how we reshape ourselves, what brings us together. I believe that redefining is essential, and I propose that we start from three key elements: geopolitical rehabilitation, democracy, and connectivity,” said Sergey Lagodinsky, Co‑President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and Head of the delegation of the European Parliament to Euronest PA.

The topics discussed during the debates held in the framework of the standing committees focused on shaping the security architecture of the Eastern Partnership, investments in renewable energy, energy independence, and economic security. The Head of Parliament’s delegation to Euronest PA, Adrian Băluțel, presented the authorities’ experience in combating foreign interference and hybrid warfare, while at the same time ensuring respect for the rule of law, the integrity of electoral processes, and the strengthening of the resilience of state institutions.

The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly was established on 3 May 2011 in Brussels, when the speakers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and the European Union signed the Constituent Act of the Assembly. The mission of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is to promote the conditions necessary for accelerating political association and economic integration between the EU and the Eastern European partners, as well as to strengthen cooperation within the region and between the region and the EU. The Assembly also contributes to strengthening, developing, and increasing the visibility of the Eastern Partnership.