28 February
We have found
ourselves in a situation where the start has been signalled, we all must reach
the finish line as soon as possible, but we do not know what kind of finish to
expect and where to expect it to be. Whoever reaches it first should give us a
sign and lead the way, Speaker of the Seimas said during the conference of the
Speakers of the European Union Parliaments held in Paris, discussing crisis
management and the role of national parliaments thereto.
According to the Speaker of the Parliament,
recently, crises have overwhelmed peoples minds, which is the result of
serious circumstances. Raising the issue of the situation in the Gaza Strip,
the Head of the Seimas emphasised that in this case parliamentary diplomacy
efforts could be very helpful.
Arūnas Valinskas highlighted that this case
was not the only one that requires the attention of the international
community. According to the Speaker of the Seimas, even though the solution to
the gas-related conflict occurred between Russia and Ukraine at the beginning
of this year was found, the problems of energy security and the diversification
of energy sources in principle have not been solved.
Moreover, we
have not forgotten the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia that caused
human casualties and severe consequences, since the territorial integrity of
our neighbouring sovereign European country has been violated. Should the
parliaments not become involved in such case? Head of the Seimas said.
Speaker of the Parliament suggested creating a
mechanism for communicating and informing each other in extraordinary
circumstances about a crisis; such mechanism would enable the parliaments to
speak out and submit proposals, and perhaps it could even allow the formation
of joint position, with the parliament of the country presiding over the EU
being the conductor of this mechanism.
Indrė
Viržintė, Spokesperson of the Seimas Speaker
