"The Executive has long ceased to be the only force driving foreign policy"

Mr. Enrique Jackson, Speaker of the Mexican Senate.

Q : As President of the 110^th IPU Assembly, how would you define the major challenges of this event ?
Enrique Jackson : The 110^th Assembly provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the parliamentary perspective on a whole range of opinions and experiences within today's political and economic processes. It is the ideal place to highlight both the role that parliaments currently play within the sovereign spheres of each nation, and their contribution to the international order. It will give us a chance to continue to forge our role as agents and interlocutors. The Executive has long ceased to be the only force driving foreign policy. Today's diversity means that a considerable number of public and private bodies are wielding real influence in international relations. Parliaments have joined the process with a great deal of enthusiasm. I see the event as a great melting pot of experiences.

Q : Can you tell us about the agenda ?
E.J. : E.J.: There are major challenges. First, making a contribution to issues that are pivotal to global stability, such as terrorism. We will also look at some of the other intractable problems that we have not been able to resolve, such as poverty and the degradation of the environment, for which we must forge new strategies to cope with the worsening situation. It is important to talk about development and technological innovation and of course, explore mechanisms to improve multilateral instruments so that the international decision-making system becomes more efficient and fairer. The second part of the debates will focus on a subject that is both topical and complex - the promotion of international reconciliation, which means providing assistance in restoring stability to conflict-torn regions. Under this item, there will be substantive discussions about the role of IPU and the international community in establishing and safeguarding peace. The point is to build stronger representative institutions. There are obvious examples such as the case of Haiti, to name but one. We are worried about the violence, the lack of political stability and particularly the poverty. This third point is of particular interest to Mexico, because we are trying to establish mechanisms to create a fairer and more equitable system of international trade. The question of agriculture is paramount. What is going to happen with production and export subsidies for agricultural products? We will thus be following up on the parliamentary declaration adopted in Cancún at the fifth WTO Ministerial Meeting. Trade is a crucial subject. The Assembly will also look at the role of parliaments in protecting human rights and in reconciliation at the individual level, as well as the question of partnership among nations. There is clear agreement on the need to make progress in respect for human rights, especially those of the most vulnerable, such as indigenous groups, women, children and minority religious groups. The 110^th Assembly will also feed discussion within countries about their domestic legislative frameworks. It will be one further step in the consolidation of the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in world affairs.

Q : Do you think that parliaments feel stronger today?
E.J. : We are stronger. In all countries, we are a power centre, we have privileges and the electors have mandated us to represent them. We have to move forward. Delegates from the Executive branch, who have the negotiating mandate, should know that everything they decide goes before the parliament. This is the real battle for every member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. It is not sufficient to believe it and to know it, we have to make this conviction manifest in our decisions and actions that we take to defend the interests of each country. (see also quote on women in politics).