MIKTA Speakers' Conference


The MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2015 took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea on July 1–5 under the theme "Parliamentary Leadership for a Global Future." Initiated by Chung Ui-hwa, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2015 was the inaugural meeting of the parliamentary Speakers of MIKTA, a middle-power consultative mechanism.

Overview

The MIKTA Speakers' Consultation is a consultative body of the parliamentary Speakers of MIKTA. The Speakers of the MIKTA parliaments gather together for a plenary and bilateral meetings on an annual basis. Discussions are underway for the possible establishment of other cooperative mechanisms. No rules and regulations are in place as yet to govern the date and venue of the Consultation. Decisions on the next meeting are made when the Speakers get together for the annual meeting. In the case of a bicameral legislature, participation is not restricted either to the upper or lower chambers. Members of parliament can join official delegations as well as diplomats based in the host country. The President of the Senate of the United Mexican States, the Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia, and the President of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia attended the 1st MIKTA Speakers' Consultation, which was held in Seoul, 2015. The Turkish Grand National Assembly was represented by the Turkish Ambassador to Seoul due to the delayed schedule to elect a new Speaker, MPs, diplomats and academics.

History

Chung Ui-hwa, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, took the initiative to create the parliamentary counterpart of MIKTA, an inter-governmental consultative body. The subsequent approval of the other Speakers led to the official launch of the Consultation. Speaker Chung Ui-hwa put forward the initial proposal to the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October, 2014 during the official visit of the Turkish Speaker to Seoul. The Turkish side agreed to the proposal. Speaker Chung followed up by sending letters to his counterparts in the MIKTA parliaments to gather views on the initiative. As the Speakers expressed their support, the proposal came to fruition. The 1st MIKTA Speakers' Consultation was held in Seoul on July 1–5, 2015 and the main conference took place on July 2.
Brief Timeline of the Preparation Process
DatePreparation Process
October, 2014The President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly agreed in principle to the proposal for the launch of the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation.
October, 2014Speaker Chung Ui-hwa sent letters to the Speakers of the MIKTA parliaments to gather views on the proposal.
March, 2015Official invitations were extended to the Speakers of the MIKTA parliaments.
May, 2015Related documents were sent out to the MIKTA parliaments, including General Information, Concept Note and Registration Form.
July 1, 2015The MIKTA Speakers' Consultation 2015 opened with its first official event.

Summary of the Consultation

Date and Venue

Participation

※ The Turkish Grand National Assembly was represented by H.E. Arslan Hakan Okçal, Turkish Ambassador to Seoul, as the Turkish Grand National Assembly elected its Speaker on July 1.

Sessions and Main Issues

1. Theme of the Consultation
  • Parliamentary Leadership for a Global Future
2. Session Topics

Joint Press Conference

  • Date: July 2, 2015
  • Venue: Westin Chosun, Seoul
  • Participation: Speaker Chung Ui-hwa, President Luis Miguel Barbosa Huerta, Chairman Irman Gusman, President Stephen Parry, Ambassador Arslan Hakan Okçal
  • Key Points: The Speakers of the MIKTA parliaments appreciated the significance of the 1st MIKTA Speakers' Consultation and announced the adoption of the Joint Statement, also known as the Seoul Statement.

Special Advisors' Review Session

  • Review of the Consultation
  • * The Consultation was a success in that it provided an opportunity for the Speakers to identify the issues of common interest and demonstrated its potential as a consultative body among the parliamentary Speakers of the like-minded countries of MIKTA.
  • * The Seoul Statement presented a guidance for the future direction of the MIKTA Speakers' Consultation.
  • Recommendation
  • * The Consultation needs to identify specific issues related to the common challenges of the MIKTA countries as well as their individual strengths.
  • * In setting agendas for future meetings, the Consultation needs to exchange views with inter-governmental bodies and experts groups.
＊Special advisors are academics and professionals specializing in the agenda of the Consultation. Each delegation is allowed to recommend one special advisor.

Bilateral Talks

  • Korea-Mexico Bilateral Talks
  • Korea-Indonesia Bilateral Talks
  • '''Korea-Australia Bilateral Talks'''