19 May 2014 - ASEAN Leaders met with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) representatives on May 11 during the 24th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to discuss regional issues. The 10 ASEAN Leaders supported AIPA’s call for consultation since documents emanating from ASEAN would require concurrence by the legislative branch of the government, particularly as ASEAN gears up for integrated economy and an ASEAN Community in 2015.
The AIPA representative expressed support for ASEAN’s work on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. She also congratulated the Philippines for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement in Bangsamoro.
Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex G. Chua welcomed the Philippine AIPA delegation led by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. The eight-member Philippine delegation was composed of Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao, Cebu City Representative Raul V. Del Mar, Batangas Representative Mark llandro L. Mendoza, Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte, La Union Representative Victor C. Ortega, Representative Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza from the Trade Union Congress Party List (TUCP) and Director Lourdes Rajini Rye.
Formed in 1977, AIPA seeks to achieve the goals of ASEAN through inter-parliamnetary cooperation. END