Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgeninopoulou, Vice-President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), delivered a compelling speech today, addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences on global security and stability.
Her remarks were made at the Third Parliamentary Summit hosted by the Parliaments of Ukraine and Latvia in Riga, with Dr. Avgeninopoulou highlighting the IPU’s firm stance against military aggression and its advocacy for international peace through parliamentary diplomacy.
Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Avgeninopoulou commended the parliaments of Ukraine and Latvia for the invitation to participate in the important discussions. “Europe is facing security challenges it had not seen since the Cold War. The war in Ukraine has shaken the foundations of international peace and stability to their core,” she stated, underscoring the severity of the current geopolitical landscape.
In her capacity as Vice-President of the IPU, Dr. Avgeninopoulou reaffirmed the organization’s strong condemnation of the Russian Federation’s military aggression. “Through two resolutions, we have strongly rejected the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories and called on all nations to adhere strictly to the United Nations Charter and international law,” she emphasized.
Dr. Avgeninopoulou also touched upon the dangers of eroding international principles, stating that the war in Ukraine has brought the world closer to dangerous scenarios that haven’t been seen in decades. “For the first time, the world is hearing rhetoric that invokes the potential use of nuclear weapons,” she warned, calling for the protection of the nuclear taboo and condemning any threat or use of weapons of mass destruction.
The speech further highlighted the critical role of parliamentarians in navigating these unprecedented times. Dr. Avgeninopoulou stressed that, as lawmakers and opinion leaders, parliamentarians have the responsibility to foster dialogue and cooperation, noting that for over 135 years, the IPU has championed peace through parliamentary engagement. She emphasized the IPU’s recent Geneva Declaration on Parliamentary Diplomacy, which acknowledges parliamentary diplomacy as a key tool for resolving conflicts and building bridges in times of crisis.
Dr. Avgeninopoulou also addressed the work of the IPU’s Task Force on the Peaceful Resolution of the War in Ukraine, which has been instrumental in fostering dialogue on critical issues such as nuclear safety, food security, and the protection of Ukrainian children during the war.
Concluding her speech, Dr. Avgeninopoulou called for the continuation of diplomatic efforts. “Even in the fog of war, the option for diplomacy and dialogue must be maintained,” she stated, emphasizing that lasting peace must be built on the principles of human security and common security.
She expressed her deep appreciation for the opportunity to speak before the distinguished audience and thanked her colleagues in Ukraine and Latvia for their leadership in hosting the event.
