Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council, FNC, signed Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, with Speakers of Parliaments of Russia, Finland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Vietnam, Latvia and Laos, to enhance consultations and co-ordination across various issues of mutual interest. 

This came after Dr. Al Qubaisi received the Chairwoman of the Council of Federation of Russia, Valentina Matviyenko; Finnish Parliament Speaker Maria Ojala; President of the Dutch Senate, Ankie Broekers-Knol; Speaker of the Netherland House of Representatives, Khadija Arib; Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Halimah Yacob; Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Inara Murniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, and Pany Yathotou, President of the National Assembly of Laos.

The MoUs aim to enhance consultations and co-ordination especially in areas related to promoting security, stability and protection of people, and joint efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. 

The agreements also focus on respect for international conventions, especially the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian laws, as well as respect for fundamental principles of international co-operation, especially those related to the principles of national sovereignty and non-use of force in solving international disputes, co-operation in the areas of sustainable development and exploring the future, innovation and exchange of knowledge and diplomatic experiences. 

Al Qubaisi said that the MoUs would be an opportunity to strengthen co-operation and friendship between the UAE and the Speakers of the Parliaments through promotion of work. They also aim to activate co-operation and parliamentary relations between the Federal National Council and the Parliamentary Councils in those countries. 

She further stated that MoUs stressed the importance of exchanging parliamentary visits and expertise, and enhancing co-ordination and consultation on various issues of common interest between the UAE and these countries. 

Al Qubaisi also reviewed the output of the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament, held under the theme "United for Shaping the Future."

Source: WAM