PM’S
SPEECH AT THE MEETING WITH SPEAKER OF THE DANISH PARLIAMENT (FOLKETING)
Following is the
text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speech
at the meeting with Speaker of the Danish Parliament (Folketing)
at Copenhagen today:
"Mr. Speaker,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for your
warm words of welcome.
I am happy to be
in your beautiful city. It is also a privilege to be invited to
your Parliament.
Well established
Parliamentary democratic systems are something our countries have
in common. They have enabled us to sustain a sound framework of
democratic governance and all round national development.
Mr. Speaker, we in
India are experiencing in our democracy a relatively new phase
of coalition governments. Your country has also worked with coalitions
and absorbed different shades of opinion. Our two countries can
fruitfully share our experiences of the functioning of our respective
multi-party systems. I hope that a new tradition of bilateral
Parliamentary dialogue can be commenced by an exchange of Parliamentary
delegations.
We also share the
values of democracy and adherence to the rule of law. Unfortunately,
open democratic societies like ours face serious threats from
the menace of international terrorism. It is doubly unfortunate
when States provide safe havens and support to terrorist networks.
Hence our strong emphasis on the principle that the fight against
terrorism should not be restricted only to its perpetrators; it
should also encompass the States that sponsor them.
Mr. Speaker,
You and your colleagues
may have followed the course of the recently held elections in
Jammu & Kashmir. The large number of candidates and turnout
of voters, in the face of open intimidation and targeted killings
by terrorists, has again proved the resilience of Indian democracy.
The ballot has clearly won over the bullet.
Relations between
India and Denmark are today marked by a spirit of cordiality and
mutual understanding. Economic and commercial relations between
our two countries are also expanding, although there remains scope
for faster progress. I hope that my visit here, though primarily
in the context of the India-EU Summit, will lead to greater bilateral
understanding between India and Denmark and strengthen the existing
bonds of friendship amongst our peoples.
Thank you".
