The parliamentary delegation headed by First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko, which also includes members of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation: Chairman of the Committee Oleksandr Merezhko and member of the Committee Olha Rudenko, started their work at the 43rd General Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Firstly, the Ukrainian delegates expressed their gratitude to the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia Mr. Geng Samrin and Prime Minister Hun Sen for the support of Ukraine.
The program also includes speeches at the general panels, thematic events on gender equality and youth policy, numerous bilateral meetings. In particular, today meetings with representatives of delegations from the United States of America and South Korea were held. According to Oleksandr Korniienko, during the conversation with the representatives of the United States, the delegates “checked their watches – and they showed the same time, namely, the time of support for Ukraine”. At the same time, the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament told about the urgent needs of Ukraine: “The war is on and we need help in the form of weapons – first of all, artillery, drones and anti-drones, as well as warm clothes and campsites for our military in the winter”.

In addition, he called for joint diplomatic work with Asian countries, in particular, on the dissemination of truthful information about russia’s war against Ukraine: “Our delegation was convinced of the firm intentions of the Congressmen to continue supporting Ukraine. Representatives of the U.S. delegation assured that the American people are with Ukraine and our victory is their victory as well”.
To the colleagues from South Korea the Ukrainian delegation, which also includes MPs of Ukraine – Oleksandr Merezhko and Olha Rudenko, expressed gratitude for the humanitarian aid and non-lethal military weapons used to fight the invaders and defend our country. At the same time, Oleksandr Korniienko emphasized the need to provide Ukraine with generators due to the terrorist missile attacks of the russian federation on the energy facilities of Ukraine: “After all, this is one of the priority needs during the cold period – russia has damaged 40% of our energy infrastructure, which is why we have a critical situation on this front”.
“For the first time the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine participates in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. This is a truly historic event in the framework of our cooperation with the countries of Southeast Asia,” Olha Rudenko noted. She also stressed that work should continue at all levels “for the development of our relations, in particular, support from the countries of this region in the fight against russian aggression”.
The region of Southeast Asia should become one of the priorities for the inter-parliamentary diplomacy of Ukraine, as emphasized by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Olexandr Merezhko. He added that cooperation with the countries of this region opens great prospects for Ukraine: “Many countries of this region are ready to cooperate with Ukraine and provide us with support, as they understand that Ukraine is now protecting world security, international law and order”.
In addition, on the side-lines of the first plenary session of the 43rd AIPA General Assembly, the First Vice-Speaker delivered a speech at the opening of the plenary session of the 43rd AIPA General Assembly from Ukraine in the part of the statements of the heads of delegations of observer countries. “Ukraine is a firm supporter of the world order based on the rules of peaceful coexistence, inter-ethnic and inter-religious tolerance, which are the core values of ASEAN,” said Olexandr Korniienko, adding that today the world is facing uncertainty, the collapse of the rule of international law and the emergence of new threats, and Ukraine is working side by side with ASEAN to solve these problems.

“It is hard to deny that we can build a stable and sustainable world based on tolerance, respect and the rule of law. That is why it is very important for Ukraine to further consolidate the efforts of all members of the international community, in particular ASEAN, to stop the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine and restore peace in the long-suffering Ukraine as soon as possible,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine summed up.
For reference. The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly) was established in 1977 to maintain regular contacts and coordination between the legislative bodies of the ASEAN member states as well as to establish cooperation with the parliaments of other countries.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine received the status of Observer at the ASEAN General Assembly during the 42nd session on 23-25.08.2021.