Kosovo is a fascinating country. It feels both ancient and brand new. Its people are warm and friendly, and for the most part young and full of life. Enthusiasm and optimism for the future is the dominant characteristic of a people who, despite everything, believe that education, enterprise and hard work will deliver prosperity and success.
Twelve years after surviving one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Balkans, Kosovo is pushing slowly through the political and economic barriers to the independence it declared in February 2008. But in the battle for recognition it still confronts not only Serbia, its ancient rival, but five European Union countries.
The delegation’s visit to Kosovo was a very interesting one and allowed the UK Parliamentarians to visit several ministries and explore some of the issues pertinent to the country’s development since the Declaration of Independence in 2008. Independent Kosovo is recognised by 85 states but these do not include five members of the European Union or Serbia.
Our visit to Chile in July 2011 must have been one of the most detailed and comprehensive itineraries that a delegation from the IPU-British Group has undertaken in many years. Our visit coincided with celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Chilean National Congress which is based in Chile’s second city and Pacific port of Valparaiso.
Overall a great deal has been achieved in a short period in Georgia. There are very grave difficulties, but these are being tackled by an able, innovative and optimistic people. Understandably the Russian presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia was the main theme on the minds of the parliamentarians whom the delegation met.
Calls for a trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur – South America’s version of the Common Market – were top of the list in discussions between Uruguayan politicians and a visiting British delegation recently. In a succession of meetings, they covered a wide range of issues including the provision of a base for British Antarctic Survey ships and more co-operation between universities in the two countries.
In a visit to Turkey from 17 to 22 October 2010, UK parliamnetarians had a series of deep discussions with senior Turkish MPs, representing the IPU, the Anglo-Turkish Friendship Group, and the leading political parties, as well as the Human Rights Commission, the EU Harmonisation Committee, and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Key issues discussed included Turkey’s aspirations for EU membership, UK-Turkey relations, political matters in the country and human rights issues, as well as regional developments.
The delegation to Angola was the second to visit the country since the devastating 27 year civil war which ended in 2002. The focus of the delegation was very much on the way in which Angola is dealing with the social and physical consequences of the war. It was also focused on the developments in the National Assembly which in September 2008 held its first parliamentary election since 1992.
