Valentina Matvienko: "Visa barrier blocks relations of Russia and the CIS with Europe"

On balance, our cooperation is fruitful, but at times bumpy. Divisions remain. New problem areas complicating the European landscape continuously pile up, - she said speaking at the international conference Role of Parliamentary Organizations in building a Europe without Dividing Lines organized jointly with PA CE.
Memories are fresh when the Soviet Union was criticized in the West for retracting behind the Iron Curtain and thereby violating one of the fundamental human rights to move in and out of the country. Today, it is the countries of Europe who shy away from this fundamental principle, whereas Russia is prepared to do away with visas altogether, - said Valentina Matvienko.