“We have great expectations for the inter-parliamentary conference “Russia-Africa”, which we are planning to hold in 2019. In our opinion, it will serve as a stimulus and initiate some processes aimed at the development of relations between our parliaments,” said the Chairman of the State Duma, opening the meeting.
Viacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
conveyed an invitation to this conference to the chairmen of African parliaments, leading experts and representatives of business circles.
“We believe that such a format will allow us to productively discuss the agenda on intensifying our relations, bring together approaches on a number of issues and contribute to the preparation of the summit in the framework of agreements reached at the level of heads of state,” he added.
The Chairman of the State Duma expressed the hope that this dialogue would be open.
“We hope that our dialogue will be open, cooperation will be based on the principles of mutual benefit and the absence of double standards. We believe that interference in the affairs of sovereign states is unacceptable. I hope you will support our approaches to the development of bilateral relations, because, like no one else, you are well aware of the pernicious outside influence on internal politics. We do not accept such approaches, and once again I consider it necessary to confirm this, only relations based on the principles of friendship, mutual support, and benefit, built on dialogue can have a future,” he said.
Viacheslav Volodin stressed that the business component of Russia's relations with African countries is growing: in particular, the trade turnover increased by more than a quarter compared to 2016 and amounted to about 26.1% or $ 17.4 billion dollars. “This is mainly Russian exports,” added the Chairman of the State Duma.
