Federation Council names conditions for Russia's return to PACE
The Council of the Federation of Russia considers that at present it is impossible to return the country to work in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). This situation will continue until in this structure it will be possible to apply sanctions to national delegations.
At the first meeting of the spring session of the Federation Council, a statement was adopted. It, in particular, says:
The document also says that Russia is ready to continue cooperation with the parliaments of various countries that are members of PACE, and with other European structures. Such interaction is necessary in order to return the Council of Europe to the principles of "full equality of its members and respect for pan-European democratic values."
However, this year Moscow does not intend to pay contributions to the Council of Europe, said Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko. Over the past two years, Russia also does not contribute funds to this organization due to the fact that its delegation is deprived of the right to vote.
Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, recalled that as far back as 1985, amendments were made to the PACE rules of procedure, according to which national delegations could be punished and pardoned, guided by political motives. It became a "time bomb."
Last year, however, PACE considered some cosmetic changes, but they, in fact, do not solve anything. The main problem remains - the ability to deprive one or another delegation of the right to vote and introduce other restrictions against it.
It is expected that next day the State Duma of the Russian Federation will accept a similar statement. PACE leadership will be familiarized with this position.
At the first meeting of the spring session of the Federation Council, a statement was adopted. It, in particular, says:
Members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation see no reason to send an appropriate application to confirm the credentials of the Russian delegation to PACE for the next session of 2019
The document also says that Russia is ready to continue cooperation with the parliaments of various countries that are members of PACE, and with other European structures. Such interaction is necessary in order to return the Council of Europe to the principles of "full equality of its members and respect for pan-European democratic values."
However, this year Moscow does not intend to pay contributions to the Council of Europe, said Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko. Over the past two years, Russia also does not contribute funds to this organization due to the fact that its delegation is deprived of the right to vote.
Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, recalled that as far back as 1985, amendments were made to the PACE rules of procedure, according to which national delegations could be punished and pardoned, guided by political motives. It became a "time bomb."
Last year, however, PACE considered some cosmetic changes, but they, in fact, do not solve anything. The main problem remains - the ability to deprive one or another delegation of the right to vote and introduce other restrictions against it.
It is expected that next day the State Duma of the Russian Federation will accept a similar statement. PACE leadership will be familiarized with this position.
Information