This program aims to strengthen the political integration in Asia on the parliamentary level for the purpose of peace protection in the region. In support for the political integration process, the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany has formed a co-operation with the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), which has evolved from the predecessor organisation, Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP). The model is the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Since year 2004, the Foundation has been promoting this development in the framework of its existing project activities. The result of this co-operation was the decision of the plenary session of AAPP in 2006 to establish the APA the formalisation of which was done in 2008, upon the approval of the national parliaments. APA currently has 40 Asian parliaments as members.
Already in preparation is the development of additional levels of integration – such as the convening of a “Council of Ministers” – and the establishment of a parliamentary structure (committees, rules of procedure, and others) as well as the creation of additional instruments of Asian cooperation and integration in the future (Asian Monetary Fund, Anti-Poverty Fund, etc.). As the institutionalisation of the APA progresses from a transition and build-up phase into an implementation phase, consulting work in the preparation of important basic documents for APA will be rendered and expertise for the conduct of training activities of APA will be provided. Leading members of the national parliaments are more knowledgeable about the operations of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) through information programs, and a working relationship with its members is developed. Study and information visit/s are also planned of the target groups from the national and/or local government as well as leading members of the national parliaments of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and their administration.
