Former Speaker De Venecia Calls for “Win-Win Cooperation” in Conference of Asian Political Parties
Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia opens the 10th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Moscow, Russia on 25 October 2018. (A. Requejos photo)
MOSCOW 07 November 2018 — Based on the “balance of mutual benefit” and “win-win cooperation,” former Speaker Jose de Venecia called for a “Pax Pacifica” in the 21st century at the opening ceremony of the 10th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held in Moscow, Russia on 25 October 2018.
Noting the shifting balance of power from West to East and emerging geopolitical rivalries, former Speaker de Venecia stated that Asians do not want a new Cold War nor “do we wish any state in our home region or any other region to play either the “American Card” or the “China Card” or the “Russia Card” or the “ISIS Card”.
“To maintain global peace and stability, Washington, Beijing, Moscow and European powers must strive towards mutual accommodation, strategic reassurance, and respect for ‘core interests’,” he said.
The former Speaker also pushed for joint exploration and joint development of hydrocarbon resources in the South China Sea and conversion of the maritime area into a Zone of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation, and Development. “This is the most realistic, most common-sensical solution to the problem in the Spratlys and the nearby Paracels”, he added.
Leaders and representatives of 70 political parties from Asia and observer parliamentarians from Europe and Latin America gathered in Moscow for a two-day conference on the role of political parties in reducing international tension and combating extremism and in the promotion of political and socio-economic ties amongst states.
The Philippines sent a strong contingent led by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (PDP-Laban) from the Senate and Cong. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla (LP) from the lower house. Joining them were Cong. Marquez O. Go (NP), Cong. Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos (NP), Cong. Scott Davies S. Lanete (PDP-Laban), Cong. Manuel Luis T. Lopez (NPC), Cong. Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan (NUP), Cong. Strike B. Revilla (NUP), Cong. Abigail Faye C. Ferriol-Pascual (Kalinga Party List), Cong. Shernee Abubakar Tan (Kusug Tausug Party List), and Cong. Weslie T. Gatchalian (NPC) as well as former Cong. Rufus Rodriguez (Centrist Democratic Party).
Former Speaker de Venecia is the founding Chairman of ICAPP which was established in Manila in 2000. It is a platform for exchanges and cooperation among political parties from Asia through regular fraternal assemblies.
At present, ICAPP gathers about 350 ruling, opposition, and independent political parties from 52 Asian countries. ICAPP has a women’s and youth’s wing and has established linkages with political parties in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
In 2020, the organization will celebrate its 20th Founding Anniversary in Manila having grown in influence as “an instrument for global peace, a vehicle for development, and force to help solve the festering conflicts in our continent and in the global community”, former Speaker de Venecia stressed. END
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The Philippine delegation to the 10th General Conference of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties at the opening ceremony on 25 October 2018 in Moscow. (L. Camoying photo).
Former Speaker Jose de Venecia together with Sen. Andrey Klimov (leftmost), Member of the Presidium of the General Council of the United Russia Party and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the conference and leading members of the United Russia Party. (L. Camoying photo)