Ex-chairmen of PACE supported the resumption of dialogue with Russia

Former speakers of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Rene van der Linden and Jean-Claude Mignon, called for the resumption of dialogue with Russia along the lines of PACE.

" Relations between Russia and the Council of Europe are the guarantor of security and observance of interests of all countries, " said van der Linden in the capital of Russia at a meeting with Chairman of the state Duma Sergei Naryshkin the Thursday before the opening of the III international parliamentary forum.

According to the ex-speaker of PACE, unfortunately, currently We are experiencing a situation of mistrust ". But, he says, the Council of Europe without Russia is not the Council of Europe." We must find ways to restore dialogue, and in full activity of the Russian delegation (PACE) ", - noted he.

for its part, the President also believes that " the Council of Europe is obliged to gather strength and begin a movement to restore dialogue ". According to him, PACE should remember about their fundamental mission of " mission of parliamentary diplomacy ". The President reminded that he was on April session did not vote for the resolution of the Assembly of depriving the Russian delegation of some major powers. For reviews of former speaker of the Assembly, PACE without Russia today " stymied ". Mignon agree that " without Russia is not a Council of Europe "because our countries have a common global desires, and among them the need for mutual fight against crime." I Express the hope that, together, together, We will be able to find the exit and re-start the dialogue, he added.

for its part, Naryshkin said that the participation van der Linden, and Mignon in the III international parliamentary forum " significantly increases its status ".

in April PACE because of the situation around Ukraine and Crimea deprived the Russian delegation's voting rights, rights of participation in the statutory bodies of the Assembly and of the possibility to work in a group of election observers. In this situation, the delegation of the Russian Federation decided not to participate in the June session of PACE.


sections: Politics