the return of Russia to the PACE depends primarily on changes in the rules of procedure of the Assembly. This emphasized the speaker of the state Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, met on 12 January with the head of PACE Pedro Agramunt.
the Key to Russia’s return
Meeting in Walnut hall of the state Duma passed a dynamically — so the tone from the start asked a Russian speaker. He began, seemingly, with the “duty” of the topic, by talking about how the Duma immediately after the election on 18 September it was decided necessary for work organizational matters and, in particular, the distribution of Committee portfolios. Half of the committees established by the opposition factions, the half — fraction of the constitutional majority. “We went for it, despite the fact that the United Russia party have two-thirds majority in the Duma. However, in our opinion, all factions should be able to defend its position,” explained the speaker.
Pedro Agramunt responded that called this approach a “very generous”. Vyacheslav Volodin almost immediately grabbed the baton, expressing the belief that the only way to avoid complacency within the party of the majority: “If the party will take all that inside her there is no real competition. Therefore, the need to create opportunities for the opposition, debating and opposing the party in power, it will help to make the right decisions. It serves the development of the party system — the party that has the majority, have to think that opposing her was at a level that will not allow her to relax.” And added that the position of the President of Russia, which he delivered at a meeting with leaders of all Duma factions immediately after the election of the Duma of the seventh convocation.
PACE President called it a “smart approach.” “Perhaps the PACE will take it on Board, since this approach is smart?” — favorably noticed Vyacheslav Volodin.
He reiterated the position of Russia — a key issue in the return of our delegation in PACE is the change of the rules of the Assembly. On the basis of its current wording, the delegation of Russia was stripped of voting rights. And here Vyacheslav Volodin has made several scathing definition: “This is reminiscent of the middle ages. It remains only to introduce the Inquisition, and not to think about democracy which does not allow for such decisions. When deprived of the vote of the national delegation, deny the voice of the people of the country who elected deputies. Find this unacceptable”.
however, the speaker thanked Pedro Agramunt for his personal constructive position: head of the PACE has repeatedly stated that the PACE should not be 46, and 47 delegations — together with Russia. “It gives hope that the PACE of adopting discriminatory decision against Russia, fix the regulations. This approach would correspond to the spirit of democracy and parliamentarism”, – said Vyacheslav Volodin.
Tough stance will benefit Russia
Recall that the first amendment in the regulations of PACE was proposed by group of senators led by the head of the international Committee of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev. Today, they strongly supported the new convocation of the state Duma led by the speaker. In addition to the point about the impossibility of limiting the rights of national parliamentary delegations, Russia insists that the decision to PACE was made in the same way as in the Russian Parliament, by a majority of votes from total number of deputies, not just those who are currently present in the hall. It is known that the PACE decisions to the number participating in the meeting. Decisions were sometimes taken the actual minority composition of the Assembly, without considering the opinions of other countries, without discussion (as taken, for example, the decision on deprivation of the Russian delegation. — Approx. ed.).
These questions were raised by the Russian Parliament last year, for example during negotiations with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe thorbjørn Jagland. He said that this was a decision he questioned. And from many of the PACE participants have a similar understanding of — how and why they are implemented. Therefore, as noted by Vyacheslav Volodin, Russia is hoped that these issues, taken to control personally Pedro Agramunt, will be discussed with delegates of the PACE and the rules will change. And yet what is happening around the Russian delegation to PACE, says the speaker, not in the spirit of parliamentarism. “Russia is part of the European community, and the purpose of its institutions — making the right decisions. In any case, should be able to hear different points of view,” he said.
an interesting detail in an interview Vyacheslav Volodin, and Pedro Agramunt there were many short conversations. The head of PACE, for example, noticed that the weather in Russia is freezing. Vyacheslav Volodin immediately replied that in our country, when the frosts come, people are less sick, and invited a colleague to come to Russia when the temperature again will fall. Agramunt said that he had a warm, wonderful relationship with Leonid Slutsky, which is, in his words, “always fiercely defended the position of Russia”. “Because it was elected head of the international Committee,” immediately responded Volodin.
meanwhile, the personal position Pedro Agramunt — Russia should participate in the work PACE. That is why he would like to develop a close relationship with the leadership of our Parliament, regardless of what decisions will be made at the January session of the Assembly. Recall that it will be held from 23 to 27 January and it is planned to discuss the issue of restoration of rights of the Russian delegation.
And the day before, January 11, Vyacheslav Volodin has noticed that the question of participation of the Russian delegation in PACE – a question to the Assembly. The speaker expressed the view that without changing the rules of the PACE part of our delegation to the inter-parliamentary platform “does not make sense”.
According to experts, such a tough stance aimed not only at protection of our interests, it is in favor of those countries that can get into a similar situation. As noted by political analyst Alexei Mukhin, PACE while considering the proposals of Russia, but more tend not to accept changes to its rules. “I believe that at this stage Russia and the PACE does not agree. Moreover, the Assembly has not removed the offensive requirements, doing that our delegation may return to the European Parliament. In the future, Russia’s return to PACE possible. But at this stage political realities do not permit this,” — said the expert.
PACE confirms the powers of Russia in January
most Likely, the end of the month the credentials of the Russian delegation will not be restored — this is an opinion shared by Pedro Agramunt immediately after the meeting with Vyacheslav Volodin, which lasted over an hour. “I wish it was different, but the position of his colleagues understand perfectly,” said the Spaniard.
However, the PACE President said that he agreed with state Duma speaker to continue bilateral contacts with the leadership of the Russian Parliament. He said that for many in Europe, Russia is an integral part of the Old world. “Europe without Russia is not Europe. Because we need to develop our relations,” said Spanish politician. And added that he would make every effort to quickly solve the problem in the relations of the PACE and Russia.
Agramunt already harshly criticized by his colleagues for political group for stance on Russia. Was even start the procedure of deprivation of his powers as a head of the PACE. Vice-speaker of state Duma, United Russia Peter Tolstoy expressed gratitude for the position of policy of rapprochement with Russia and positive steps to overcome the crisis.
“We’re really open to an open and meaningful dialogue, are ready to resume in case of change of humiliating for our country conditions. I am sure that in near future there will be exchange of delegations between Russia and PACE in other areas besides PACE, we will have the opportunity to discuss about our future relations with the parliamentary Assembly”, – he said.
Russia continues cooperation with all political groups in PACE with all national delegations — this was announced by the Chairman of the Duma Committee on international Affairs Leonid Slutsky. “Of course, we will participate in the work of relevant committees in conferences, seminars. I am sure that such events this year have a lot. I am convinced that the cooperation between Moscow and Strasbourg in the course of this year will be developing constructively,” the MP believes.
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