Athens, 4 April 2022

Meeting of Heads of delegations of European Section of Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in Monaco

The annual session of Heads of delegations of the European Section of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie was completed today in Monaco, with the participation of Mrs Paraskevi Vryzidou, member of the Greek delegation.

Works began with the opening speech of the Belgian Member of Parliament and Head of the European Regional Assembly Jean-Charles LUPERTO, while the President of the National Council of Monaco Stéphane VALERI, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Isabelle BERRO-AMADEI and the Head of the Principality’s Delegation to the Assembly Michèle DITTLOT addressed participants with welcome messages.

The Director of the Archives and Library of the Palace made a presentation on the historical development of the Principality's relations with France, over the period extending from the 15th to the 20th century, while the President of the Alliance Française of Monaco, spoke about the role and function of the Mediterranean Center for French Studies (CMEF).

During works, participants discussed developments in Ukraine, in the presence of 2 members of the Ukrainian Parliament (Rada), who briefed the deputies on the dramatic events in their country. The President of the Rada also addressed the assembly via teleconference and a representative of the"Vent d'Est" organisation described the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.

In the discussion that followed, the Greek MP Paraskevi Vryzidou, during her speech characterised the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a blatant violation of international law, also expressing our country’s full support to the suffering Ukrainian people. She underlined the real significance of the war in Ukraine as putting values at stake, since it is not only an attack against an independent state but also an attack against western liberal parliamentary democracy, moreover adding that the international community must resist the power of weapons and effectively respond to attempts to contest borders and international treaties.

Closing her speech, Mrs Vryzidou addressed the two participating members of the Ukrainian Parliament, stating that our country already hosts 15,000 Ukrainian refugees and described the struggle of the Ukrainian people as "a glorious moment in history, to which all humanity bows." 

In the second part of works, the assembly members elaborated upon the preparation of the next Plenary to take place in autumn 2022, as well as the timetable of upcoming regular meetings. Moreover, an activity report and the financial report of the previous year were presented.

The Greek MP announced to participants the Hellenic Parliament’s intention to host the  European Section of the Parliamentary Assembly Plenary in Greece, in autumn  2023.

 High resolution images







Back