Events

Grigory Karasin: Russia and Slovakia are re-establishing contacts between parliamentary friendship groups and specialised committees

Senators met with members of the National Council of Slovakia.

“We are glad to see the National Council of Slovakia re-establishing its group for interaction with the Russian Federal Assembly. The senators who are members of the friendship group are looking forward to the full restoration of inter-parliamentary relations,” Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin noted at a meeting with Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Marián Kéry.

The meeting was also attended by Vyacheslav Timchenko, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Parliamentary Governance and Head of the Federation Council’s group for friendship with the Slovak Parliament, and Jan Mažgút, member of the National Council of Slovakia.

“Our relations have deteriorated not because of us; they were almost suspended, but now we can see that the Slovak leadership intends to follow an independent foreign policy and restore the dialogue between our countries. We welcome this approach and are ready to take reciprocal steps,” Grigory Karasin emphasised.

According to him, there is immense potential for the development of bilateral economic ties, including in the fuel and energy sector, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation projects.

In the context of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bratislava and the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the parties noted the importance of the efforts to protect historical truth and hold events aimed at perpetuating the memory of Soviet soldiers who gave their lives for the liberation of Europe from Nazism.

“We are grateful to the Slovak people for carefully preserving their memory,” Grigory Karasin said.

Marián Kéry noted the importance of developing Russian-Slovak dialogue despite opposition from the West.

The parties also touched upon the situation in Ukraine, with Grigory Karasin praising the balanced stance of his Slovak colleagues and informing them about Russia’s approach to the Ukrainian settlement.