The Federation Council Speaker met with deputy speakers of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar to discuss prospects of interparliamentary cooperation.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko held a meeting with deputy speakers of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar. The meeting concerned Russia-Slovakia relations and prospects of interparliamentary cooperation.
It was the first visit by a parliamentary delegation from a member state of the European Union since the imposition of large-scale sanctions against Russia in February 2022.
Valentina Matvienko noted that the deputy speakers of the National Council are set on developing and strengthening relations between the two countries. The Speaker thanked her counterparts for their personal efforts to restore the parliamentary dialogue, and for promoting the entire scope of Russia-Slovakia ties. “One must have courage to visit Moscow despite the obstacles. We realise that Slovakia is one of the few European countries today that is a sovereign state with a leader who protects national interests. However, the country remains a member of the European Union and NATO, which entails certain obligations.”
Valentina Matvienko noted that it was not at Russia’s fault that the extensive cooperation with the EU across multiple areas had been brought to a halt, to the detriment of the interests of the European states.
The Speaker pointed out that Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico’s working visit to Moscow at the end of 2024 had great significance. “He and President Vladimir Putin exchanged opinions on the regional and international agenda, and discussed strengthening cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.”
According to Valentina Matvienko, the Slovak leadership’s unchanged and consistent position with regard to the outcome of World War II and the role of the Soviet people in liberating Europe and Slovakia from Nazism deserves great respect. She noted that anniversary events marking 80 years since the liberation of Bratislava will take place on 4 April.
“This Victory came at a high price. More than 60,000 Red Army soldiers are buried across Slovakia. Many Slovaks fought shoulder to shoulder with our troops for independence and victory. We hope that high-ranking representatives of Slovakia will attend the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow on 9 May,” the Speaker said.
Valentina Matvienko added that Russia has always been interested in cooperation based on mutual respect and trust. “We are ready to develop our links with the countries that are ready for this format of cooperation.”
Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrej Danko noted that Russia and Slovakia share common history and values. “The world will not be balanced without Russia. We believe there is great potential in the partnership with Russia – in particular, in trade and energy. Unfortunately, politicians in Brussels are not interested in a good relationship with Russia. But I am certain the situation in Europe will start to change.”
Tibor Gaspar finds it important to exchange opinions and to continue a dialogue. “This visit signals that we are ready for a dialogue. The fact that we were received at this high level is an important signal for us to take away that Russia will communicate with everyone interested in this form of communication.” He added that developing relations with Russia is for the general good and cooperation must continue. In his opinion, the visit by the delegation of the National Council of the Slovak Republic to Moscow can be considered the beginning of restoring interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking about interparliamentary links, Valentina Matvienko welcomed the initiative proposed by the Slovak parliamentarians to recreate a group on cooperation with the Federal Assembly of Russia in the Slovak National Council. “The group on cooperation with the National Council of Slovakia in the Federation Council remains and consists of 21 senators. The group is headed by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Parliamentary Governance Vyacheslav Timchenko. We are ready to intensify cooperation between these friendship groups and resume contacts between specialised committees.”
The meeting participants also discussed economic and cultural cooperation. “We noticed first steps in restoring Russia’s sought-after cultural presence in Slovakia. There have been successful exhibitions, film screenings and Russian folk song festivals. We are ready to work further to boost cultural exchanges between our countries.”
Valentina Matvienko also praised Bratislava’s sensible position on the Ukrainian crisis and offered extensive details about the origins of the crisis and potential solutions.
Other participants included Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Parliamentary Governance Vyacheslav Timchenko, and First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Alexander Varfolomeev.