The parties discussed aspects of bilateral Russian-Saudi interaction.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabia, Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, senators Iliyas Umakhanov, Commissioner for Hajj Affairs at the Commission on Religious Associations under the Government of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Dzhabarov, Mohmad Akhmadov, and Head of the Group for Cooperation between the Federation Council and the Consultative Assembly of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Belan Khamchiev.
Valentina Matvienko noted that Russian Hajj organisers over the past two or three decades have accumulated considerable experience in preparing and conducting the pilgrimage campaign, thanks to which the representatives of the Hajj Commission have been recognised as one of the best in the world, following the results of several seasons.
“The Federation Council has a direct relation to this through Commissioner for Hajj Affairs at the Commission on Religious Associations under the Russian Government, Senator Iliyas Umakhanov from the Republic of Dagestan,” the parliament's upper house speaker emphasised.
“We support the requirements of the Saudi authorities for strict compliance with the law and the inadmissibility of illegal entry into the country to perform the Hajj. In preparing for the Hajj, the Russian side paid special attention to this issue,” Valentina Matvienko said.
“We attach great importance to further development of contacts along parliamentary lines. We note with satisfaction the productive work of our friendship groups,” said Valentina Matvienko.
She expressed confidence in the need to further develop contacts through the relevant committees of the parliaments of the two countries in order to more promptly resolve the emerging issues on the bilateral agenda.
According to Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabia, the Russian Federation conducts a balanced religious policy.
He noted the high level of cooperation between the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Commission on Religious Associations under the Russian Government. This cooperation is productive, and we are always in close contact, said Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabia. He expressed hope for the continuation of such interaction.
In the course of their further conversation, Valentina Matvienko and Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabia discussed some aspects of bilateral Russian-Saudi interaction. In particular, they touched on the participation of Saudi representatives in the BRICS summit in Kazan this October, interaction at international platforms organised by Russia, including the International Economic Forum Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum, the Russia-Africa summit, as well as work at the Eurasian Women's Forum, which will be held in the coming days in St Petersburg.
They also addressed the development and strengthening of the Russian-Saudi legal framework, as well as expanding tourism and educational ties between Russia and Saudi Arabia.