The two parties discussed the direction and formats of interparliamentary contacts, as well as prospects for advancing relations between Russia and South Korea.
Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko met with Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly (Parliament) Moon Hee-sang.
Valentina Matvienko stressed that the visit of a representative delegation from South Korea to Russia offered a good opportunity to hold substantive dialogue on bilateral cooperation, interparliamentary contacts and the international agenda.
The Speaker of the Federation Council said that relations between Russia and South Korea have rapidly advanced in recent years. “We appreciate the level of bilateral relations our counties have reached and realise the necessity of stepping up cooperation in the scientific, technological and humanitarian fields,” she said. “Our countries are currently engaged in an enduring political dialogue. The leaders of our countries have set the direction, tone and pace for cooperation between Russia and South Korea.”
According to Valentina Matvienko, the legislators in both countries should take part in implementing the signed agreements. “The upper chamber of the Russian Parliament is set to step up interparliamentary contacts in every way possible.”
Valentina Matvienko recalled that the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Korea would be marked in 2020, which will be declared the Year of Russian Culture in South Korea and the Year of South Korean Culture in Russia. She suggested discussing the likely input of the two countries’ parliaments in the preparations for this event.
The Federation Council Speaker said she believed the visit by the South Korean delegation would add a new dimension to interparliamentary cooperation and the entire range of bilateral relations.
Valentina Matvienko meeting Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly (Parliament) Moon Hee-sang
During the talks, the parties spoke in favour of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and pledged their commitment to cooperation with all countries to achieve this goal.
Moon Hee-sang said that interparliamentary cooperation between Russia and South Korea was about to reach an unprecedented level in the history of the two countries. He said he believed Russia would play an important role in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The Speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly spoke about the need to continue interparliamentary dialogue on a regular basis.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Ilyas Umakhanov; Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets Sergei Ryabukhin; First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov; Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Alexei Russkikh; member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Yury Arkharov; and member of the Federation Council Committee on House Rules and Parliamentary Governance Viktor Ozerov.