Parliamentary leaders discussed how the parliaments of MIKTA countries could contribute to the international community and strengthen relations among members during the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation 2015 in Seoul from July 1 to July 5.
The inaugural MIKTA meeting took place on the initiative of Korean National Assembly Speaker Jung Ui-hwa.
On hand at the meeting — held under the theme “Parliamentarian Leadership for a Global Future” — were Korean Speaker Jung, Mexican Senate Speaker Miguel Barbosa Huerta, Sen. Stephen Parry, the president of the Senate of the Australian Parliament, and Chairman Irman Gusman of the House of the Regional Representatives of Indonesia. Turkey did not send a delegation since a new parliamentary leader has yet to be elected following a general election in June. Instead, the Turkish ambassador to Korea participated in the event.
MIKTA is short for the initials of Mexico, Korea, Turkey and Australia. MIKTA was inaugurated as a consultative body of the middle powers in September 2013. The countries are G20 member countries ranking 12th through 18th in terms of gross domestic demand (GDP) in the world, which share core values of democracy and peace, but do not belong to G7 countries no to BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
Parliamentary leaders of MIKTA member countries issued the Seoul Statement on July 2. “Recognizing that resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and achieving a peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula are critical to ensure peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and beyond, we appreciate and support the multi-pronged efforts of the Korean National Assembly, including an inter-Korean parliamentary speakers’ meeting as well as an inter-Koran parliamentary meeting, to lay the foundation for a peaceful unification through dialogue and cooperation,” the statement said.
“Recognizing that the post-2015 development agenda, set to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, is crucial for the future of the international community, the parliaments of the MIKTA countries will seek to promote the oversight of implementation of the post-2015 development agenda,” it continued.
“Taking not of our countries’ similarities including democracy, open economies, diverse culture, and keen participation in the discussion of global issues, we welcome the call and efforts to improve dialogue between the MIKTA countries that can add value to our partnership in years ahead,” according to the statement.
“Recognizing the varies and complex challenges facing the international community, such as: natural disasters; terrorism and transnational organized crime; climate change; maritime security; growing movements of displaced people and asylum seekers, including those triggered by regional instabilities; irregular flows of migrants; global poverty and nuclear proliferation, we emphasize the significant role of the MIKTA countries in coordinated multi-dimensional responses at global, regional and national levels.”
Extending their appreciation to the Korean National Speaker for its contribution to the evolution of MIKTA, the parliamentary leaders agreed to consider holding a 2nd MIKTA Speakers Consultation in 2016.
Mexican Senate Speaker Miguel Barbosa Huerta said in a joint news conference at the Chosun Hotel on July 2 that Korea and Mexico have already maintained brisk trade relationships and they have established institutional systems, but the signing of an FTA will benefit both countries. They also exchanged views on the development of MIKTA during a meeting with President Park Geun-hye at Cheong Wa Dae earlier in the day, adding that a MIKTA summit could take place.
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