Valentina Matvienko Discussed International Agenda with PACE President Hendrik Daems

Today, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko held a meeting with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Hendrik Daems.

Valentina Matvienko noted that the Parliamentary Assembly had a significant potential for implementation of the main objective of the Council of Europe – achievement of the greater unity for the protection and implementation of the ideals and principles, which were the common achievement. The Speaker of the Federation Council noted that the 25^th anniversary of Russian membership in the Council of Europe was celebrated that year. She stressed that the country had already acceded to more than 70 conventions and other treaties of the Council of Europe and expressed hope that the current visit of the PACE President would contribute to the strengthening of the relations between Russia and the Council of Europe.

Among the important issues requiring common attention and efforts there are countering of the coronavirus pandemic, combating cybercrime, and development of the common rules regulating the work of the IT companies.

The same day Hendrik Daems met with Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin. The parties agreed that the PACE would send observers to the elections to the State Duma in September 2021. They expressed their intention to develop relations on the basis of trust, respect for the choices of citizens of each country free from double standards. 

Photo: http://council.gov.ru