Yury Vorobyov: Russian-Swiss inter-parliamentary ties are developing steadily and in a positive direction

Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Yury Vorobyov has met with Filippo Lombardi, head of the foreign policy commission of the Swiss Council of States and co-chairman of the Russia-Switzerland friendship group.

The meeting took place as part of the international conference, The Role of Parliaments in the Modern World: The Federation Council’s 25 Years of Multifaceted Development, being held at the Federation Council.

The meeting was attended by Viktor Bondarev, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security, Vladimir Jabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Irina Gekht, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture, Food Policy and Environmental Management.

“We agree with the positive assessment of Russian-Swiss ties. We note, in particular, the balanced approach to inter-parliamentary cooperation, which is evidenced by the Swiss delegation’s effort to return the Russian delegation to PACE,” Yury Vorobyov said.

He also underscored that returning to PACE is only possible after the membership of the Russian delegation is reinstated in full, adding: “Russia has been and remains a part of Europe; this is why there is mutual interest in preserving and developing relations.”

Yury Vorobyov lauded the regular meetings in the framework of parliamentary friendship groups. “We have some ideas on expanding Russian-Swiss inter-regional ties. Interaction between regions will have an effect on the work of our friendship groups. This is in our interest.”

The Deputy Speaker also noted the joint efforts to preserve Russian-Swiss historical and cultural heritage.

Viktor Bondarev called the Russian-Swiss friendship group an effective mechanism for strengthening ties between the two countries. The Senator believes that local conflicts in some regions of the world are undermining global stability but inter-parliamentary ties make it possible to coordinate positions on critical international issues.

Filippo Lombardi emphasised that the international conference hosted by the Federation Council is an excellent opportunity to continue bilateral and multilateral dialogue. He added that they need not only to cement ties of friendship but also to continue working together at various international organisations, noting: “That is why I welcome cooperation at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. I think that Russia should participate as before in the work of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly.”

The upcoming plans of the parliamentary friendship groups were also discussed at the meeting. Yury Vorobyov invited the Swiss members of the group to visit one of Russia’s regions.