Address
by H.E. Mr. Volodymyr LYTVYN,
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
at the Second World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments
New York
8 September 2005
Mr. President!
Excellencies!
Ladies and gentlemen!
I have the honor to represent the Parliament of Ukraine at the Second World Conference of Speakers, which I firmly believe, shall enrich the experience of parliamentarism, reinforce the faith in the power of people which is crucial for ensuring sustainable development, strengthening security and effectively protecting human rights.
The destiny of the world in the 21st century heavily depends on the role played by the parliamentarism: wherever its role falls into decay or reduces to window dressing, there freedom and democracy end.
Where the voices of all, particularly those of minority, remain unheard, where doubts and protests are ignored, there destitution and fear prevail, there grows the danger of social collisions and creeping authoritarianism.
We all witness that the era of globalization presents, among others, daunting challenges and threats. Under such circumstances, the representatives of the executive power are frequently tempted to address them immediately and harshly. However, such “one-person” decisions are not necessarily the best possible solution, especially when Parliaments are excluded from decision-making process.
Being the highest representative bodies, custodians of collective intelligence, experience and political wisdom, the Parliaments can galvanize social will and find out the most effective ways to settle, and all the more important, prevent internal disturbances and international conflicts.
The Parliament of Ukraine has acquired, even though forcedly, such genuinely invaluable experience.
In November-December 2004, when the tension in the country reached the critical point, the Parliament managed to embark on the constructive dialog and find politically legitimate solution of the crisis. That served to avert large-scale civil conflict in the center of Europe.
Needless to say, international solidarity, understanding and support of the international organizations and parliaments of different countries also played their part.
It is quite obvious that taking stock of such an experience, developing and launching the mechanisms of parliamentary cooperation in situations like this would be much to the point and extremely valuable.
Excellencies!
Beginning of every century sees its own prophets, who thereafter determine its course and outcomes, including, unfortunately, negative ones.
Today we got accustomed to such evils of the 21st century as international terrorism, aggressive separatism, controversial consequences of globalization, threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, deadly infections, for which distances and borders are no longer an obstacle.
At the same time we cannot predict new challenges that could face individual states and peoples as well as humankind as a whole.
We must think about it today, anticipate and foresee with the utmost probability what kind of world there can be at least by the middle of the this century.
Accordingly, we will have an opportunity to shift emphasis to preventive measures and actions to spare the globe and its every corner fatal thunder-claps.
The Parliaments can and must make a real contribution to exercise this, yet not properly estimated, function.
We express our solidarity with the American people in the time of dramatic hardships.
We support the Declaration of the Conference “Bridging the democracy gap in international relations: a stronger role for parliaments”, especially its provisions related to addressing the most dangerous threats, provided it is done concurrently and within the United Nations system.
Being one of the UN founding states, Ukraine believes the United Nations’ role in the 21-st century will not diminish. On the contrary, it will further be enhancing in every dimension as the global network and interdependence of countries will be growing.
We are convinced that creation of international norms through adoption of relevant legal instruments should also remain a priority in the context of cooperation among the United Nations and the Parliaments to consolidate international community in combating terrorism.
Noting the enhanced role of regional and continental inter-parliamentary associations as purely positive indicator and, moreover, as one of the distinctive features of the present day, we would find it necessary to consider the establishment of a worldwide integrated parliamentary system building on their capacities.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Despite all controversies, dramas and tragedies, which marked the dawn of the 21st century, we need to consolidate our efforts to maintain and strengthen the faith in the ability of humankind to reach sustainable development and progress, to comprehend and share democratic values.
It is only together, consciously and with responsibility that we can adequately respond to the challenges of time, which would keep changing rapidly.
The role and mandate of the parliaments – the highest institutions to express the will of the people – oblige us to do so.
Thank you.