Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back at the past week

<sub>The Speakers of the UK House of Commons and Luxembourg have hosted the first parliamentary meeting between their two nations in 73 years.

Since NATO was founded in 1949, and more latterly through friendships and partnerships within the European Union, neither side felt the need for separate meetings.</sub>

_{But Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle felt it was important to extend the hand of friendship to His Excellency Fernand Etgen, President of the Luxembourg Parliament, and his delegation as soon as Covid restrictions allowed.}

_{Sir Lindsay hailed the meeting at Speaker’s House as "the beginning of a new era post-Brexit for our two parliaments."}

_{"This is about opening up the UK – making sure there are no barriers between us," he said.}

_{"We can build a roadmap across Europe that will allow our great countries to support each other and to work as partners and friends."}

_{He made the comments during the meeting, hosted by Sir Lindsay as part of his Speaker-led diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.}

_{Mr Speaker and His Excellency used the opportunity to highlight their countries’ efforts to support Ukraine - and stressed the importance of exchange programmes for students.}

_{They also agreed that legislatures must work harder to regain the trust of the public, and to focus on making language and debates within the Chamber, calmer and more respectful.}

The Speaker met with young conservationist and wildlife ambassador, Henry, who has been raising awareness for local nature reserves and global conservation projects, including the Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Zone, one of the world’s most pristine marine environments.