Events

Valentina Matvienko’s greetings on International Day of Parliamentarism

Distinguished Colleagues

Dear Friends

I would like to congratulate you on the International Day of Parliamentarism.


It is a special day for all parliamentarians of the world, social forces, all those who on daily advance the rights and freedoms of citizens, strengthen the democratic foundations of world development, facilitate constructive interaction in order to achieve progress and common prosperity.

It is already the fifth celebration of this symbolic date. The International Day of Parliamentarism, proposed by the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States, supported by the Inter‑Parliamentary Union and established by the United Nations, has taken its rightful place in the holiday calendar. It reminds us of centuries‑old parliamentary traditions and the growing role of the parliamentary community in the 21st century.

The quality of parliamentary work plays an important role in defending the interests of citizens, fulfilling the potential of regions, and successfully addressing many pressing issues on the global agenda, such as: achieving sustainable development goals, protecting the environment, supporting the youth, and ensuring the representation of women. The main goal of every parliamentarian is to help the people and justify to their great trust.

Russian legislators have always protected the national interests, provided effective and timely legal support for the decisions made at the highest level, made every effort to improve the quality of life of the people and ensure opportunities for their self-realization. The parliament's focus is on ensuring that all social obligations undertaken by the State are fulfilled as well as social guarantees provided. The parliament effectively ensures a balance between the interests of the central federal authorities and the regions. The effectiveness of such work is largely due to close and continuous interaction maintained by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation with the Government of the Russian Federation and legislative bodies of Russia's constituent entities.

Parliamentarism that is based on democratic representation and mindful of peoples' history and traditions is one of the most significant achievements of modern civilisation. Parliamentarians work to improve the legislation with a view to developing all spheres of social life and protecting the interests of citizens. That is why it is impermissible to impose sanctions and restrictions on the representatives of the people, who, in the face of grave challenges and threats to the world community, can and must take decisive steps to achieve mutual understanding. The parliamentary dimension is one of the core elements of international relations and plays a key role in stabilizing the complex world situation.

I am confident that the unique atmosphere of trust that prevailed at the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in St. Petersburg, which saw the establishment of this great holiday, will be maintained, and the honest and open dialogue within the parliamentary community will lead to the triumph of common sense, ensure genuine multipolarity and strengthen the principles of justice, equal interaction and good neighbourliness.

VALENTINA MATVIENKO