Federation Council Speaker met with the Czech Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies Speaker
Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko had a meeting with Radek Vondracek, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Iliyas Umakhanov, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Valery Ryazansky, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy Igor Kagramanyan, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, Head of the Group on Cooperation with the Senate of the Czech Republic Alexander Bashkin, member of the group and Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Vyacheslav Timchenko.
Valentina Matvienko pointed out that the contacts between the Russian and Czech parliaments have been intensifying. She acknowledged that, despite the sanctions of the European Union against our country, Russia and the Czech Republic maintain an interparliamentary dialogue.
“We attach particular importance to expanding interparliamentary contacts both on the bilateral and multilateral basis,” the Speaker noted.
She confirmed the invitation for the President of the Czech Senate to visit Russia.
“Cooperation between Russia and the Czech Republic is in line with long-term interests of the two nations. We welcome your intention to develop mutually beneficial contacts with our country,” Valentina Matvienko said.
The Speaker emphasised the Czech businesses’ interest in operating in Russia, including in the areas of investment, nuclear energy and healthcare. She covered the development and expansion of inter-regional links, which, she believes, must be more detailed and specific. In this context, she noted the importance of deepening cultural cooperation – specifically, teaching the Russian language in the Czech Republic.
Valentina Matvienko particularly focused on the care and respect for the memorials and burial sites of the Soviet soldiers who fell in the battles for the liberation of the Czech Republic and Europe from Nazi Germany.
Radek Vondracek agreed with the Federation Council Speaker’s assessment of the Russian-Czech relations. He noted the importance of seeking the convergence factors for the two countries.
Radek Vondracek believes that the interparliamentary links, trade and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties must be free of political undertones.
The Chamber of Deputies Speaker said that the Czech Republic and the Russian Federation need to improve their dialogue and the parliaments of the two countries are able to serve to achieve this goal.
Radek Vondracek expressed confidence in the fact that dialogue implies open discussion of all topics without exception.
The meeting also concerned the economy, healthcare, and humanitarian and cultural cooperation.
The speakers also had an in-depth exchange of opinions on the topical international agenda. Specifically, they discussed Russia’s policy in Syria, Ukraine and the developments in Donbass and Crimea. They also talked about the progress in the investigations of the MH17 crash and the Skripal case.
The parties expressed an interest in continuing bilateral dialogue.