The Speaker participates in Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform
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On 24–25 October, the Speaker Andreas Norlén participated in the launch of the parliamentary network of the International Crimea Platform. The summit was held in Zagreb and hosted by the Speaker of he Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada – the Ukrainian Parliament – Ruslan Stefanchuk and the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković.
The launch of the parliamentary network of the international Crimea Platform took place at the National University Library in Zagreb and the Speakers from parliaments of 48 countries participated, as did representatives from the European Parliament.
During these two days in Zagreb, the Speaker also had bilateral meetings with Speaker colleagues from various countries and from the European Parliament.
The International Crimea Platform was launched in Kiev in 2021 to highlight the consequences of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. The Swedish Government participated with its Prime Minister and Minister for Defence in the launch of the Crimea Platform, which was formed by 48 states and a number of international organisations. The platform aims to coordinate questions of policy for non-recognition, sanctions, human rights, security and freedom of navigation, as well as economic and environmental consequences at governmental, parliamentary and expert level.
The Speaker’s Contribution at the Summit:
Check against delivery.
Your Excellencies, colleagues,
Thank you for organising this event on such a crucial topic, crucial for Ukraine, and for all of us.
Recent developments in the world confirm the vital role our parliaments have to play in preserving our democratic systems and societies. Our parliaments are simply the foremost symbol of democracy, but they should also be the foremost champions and defenders of democracy.
Russia’s illegal attack on Ukraine shows what can happen when a semi-democracy is slowly transformed into an authoritarian and totalitarian system – namely war.
We, as leading representatives of our parliaments and our democratic systems, should work together and support each other in upholding and strengthening our democratic processes. One important aspect is to encourage people to vote in elections in our countries, in order to confirm the legitimacy of the system.
This is even more important in times when we are witnessing democracy in decline in many parts of the world, and when democracy and human rights are under threat from authoritarian and totalitarian leaders.
Regarding Ukraine, Crimea and Russia´s illegal full-scale war on a friendly neighbour, I can, as the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament, confirm our strong support for Ukraine, strong in all the parties represented in our parliament.
I would also like to quote the words of Sweden´s former Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, at the Crimea Platform Summit in August: “Sweden will continue its steadfast support to Ukraine. (…). The stronger Ukraine is, the safer the rest of us are”.
Since then, we have had elections and a change of government in Sweden. However, one thing that has not changed is Sweden´s strong support for Ukraine.
I also quote the new Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who said in his Statement of Government Policy, delivered in the Riksdag last week: “We must provide as much support as possible to war-torn Ukraine – politically, economically and in terms of security. A long-term and cohesive programme for civilian reconstruction and military support will be developed.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
One thing has been poignantly brought to mind since 24th February, as it has all too many times before: the enormous cost of war. Human suffering and material destruction beyond belief.
By quoting both Prime Ministers and underlining the support for Ukraine in our parliament, the message I bring from the Swedish Parliament is strong and clear. We stand for freedom, democracy and a rule-based international order. This means that we stand firmly behind Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and Ukraine´s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Slava Ukraini!