Together With IPU Task Force, Head Of BKSAP Fadli Zon Runs Mission To Reconcile Ukraine And Russia

Fadli Zon/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives Fadli Zon together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Task Force for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, visited Kyiv, Ukraine. During the visit, Fadli had a dialogue with the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada), Ruslan Stefanchuk at the Conference Hall, Ukrainian Parliament Building, Monday, July 11.

On that occasion, the IPU Task Force carried out a mission to open the faucet for dialogue in order to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The IPU Task Force also expressed its commitment to be a bridge for dialogue between the two countries, in seeking a peaceful solution through parliamentary diplomacy. Concretely, the IPU Task Force asked the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Parliament to be willing to open a dialogue with the Russian parliament. Although it is not easy, the IPU Task Force considers that dialogue and diplomacy must remain open as a way out.

As a member of the IPU Task Force representing the Asia Pacific region, the Chairman of the DPR BKSAP, Fadli Zon, expressed his concern over the impact of the war in Ukraine, especially in the Eastern Ukraine region. In line with the mandate of the IPU Task Force, the Gerindra Party politician also invited the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament to attend the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speaker's Summit forum which will be held in Jakarta on 6-7 October 2022.

Through a press statement received, Fadli said, this forum is a good platform to strengthen the parliament's concrete contribution to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In addition, the IPU Task Force delegation also visited Dmytrivka Village where there were many tanks left by the Russian army. The delegation also saw firsthand the areas of Bucha and Irpin, small towns in northern Kyiv that were severely affected by the war, which resulted in damage to residential buildings, business centers, and a number of public facilities. The arrival of the IPU Task Force delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Bucha and the Mayor of Irpin.

This visit to Kyiv was carried out by land from Poland by a four-wheeled vehicle from Warsaw to Chelm Station, a small town in southeastern Poland that borders directly with Ukraine. From Chlem, the journey continues by train for 15 hours to Kyiv.

In addition to the Chair of the Parliament, the IPU Task Force also held a dialogue with the UN Resident Coordinator (Unicef, UNDP, WHO), the Ukrainian Parliamentary Delegation to IPU, and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

The IPU Task Force itself was formed as a follow-up and recommendation of the 144th IPU General Assembly in Nusa Dua on 20-24 March 2022 which has produced a resolution entitled 'Peaceful Resolution of the war in Ukraine, Respecting International Law, the Charter of the United Nations And Territorial Integrity' as a form of commitment by the world parliament to end the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

The IPU then formed a Task Force and elected 8 members of parliament representing various geopolitical regions in the world as members of the Task Force. Namely, Peter Katjavivi (Chairman of the Parliament of Namibia) and Nosiviwe Noluthando (Chairman of the Parliament of South Africa) representing the African region, Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi (Parliament of the United Arab Emirates) representing the Arab region, Fadli Zon (Chairman of BKSAP DPR Indonesia) representing the Asia Pacific region, Aigul Saifollakyzy Kuspan (Kazakhstan) representing the Eurasia region, Beatriz Argimon (Vice President and Speaker of the Uruguayan Parliament) from Latin America, and Avi Dicter (Israel) and Arda Gerkens (Netherlands) from the Twelve Plus Group covering the Western Europe region.

Since its formation in early April, the IPU Task Force has held four meetings to discuss the latest issues of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and various preparations for mediation. The planned visit to Ukraine and Russia, which are involved in the conflict, was taken at a follow-up meeting of the IPU Task Force which was held virtually on Monday, July 4.

"After the visit to Kyiv, I and members of the IPU Task Force will make a visit to Moscow (Russia) to meet with the Speaker of the Russian Parliament and several parties related to a similar mission," said Fadli Zon.

In the short term, the IPU Task Force aims to stop the war in order to avoid more casualties and physical damage. In the medium term, the IPU Task Force also has a mission to open access to humanitarian corridors.

Meanwhile, in the long term, the IPU Task Force has a mandate to create sustainable peace and strengthen Russian-Ukrainian relations through inter-parliamentary dialogue.