The officials discussed the prospects for cooperation within the Council of Europe.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with President of the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Liliane Maury Pasquier.
The officials discussed a broad range of issues of mutual interest, including the prospects for cooperation within the Council of Europe.
The Speaker of Federation Council thanked Liliane Maury Pasquier for her principled position on the need to overcome the ongoing crisis in the Council of Europe. Valentina Matvienko pointed out that Russia had always believed in choosing dialogue despite any political differences. She added that isolation and sanctions were a road to nowhere.
The Federation Council Speaker noted that PACE’s autumn session was held in a constructive atmosphere, which confirmed the importance of dialogue with Russia on a broad range of issues based on mutual respect. This is evidence of Russia’s invariable focus on cooperation with all of its PACE partners that is aimed at encouraging a positive and unifying agenda.
Valentina Matvienko noted the importance of building on the positive change that had taken place after the Russian delegation’s return to PACE and of acting in the interests of all Europeans. The Federation Council Speaker believes that the Council of Europe’s noble goals can only be achieved through the renunciation of the practice of double standards, sanctions and interference in the internal affairs of states.