On the development of relations between parliaments
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)
noted
that the inter-parliamentary contacts between Russia and Moldova are essentially
frozen: “The current situation primarily plays a negative role for the country,
our relations and citizens due to the fact that our inter-parliamentary
contacts are minimal, almost frozen, we do not have the opportunity to participate in inter-parliamentary
platforms within the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other structures.”
He stressed that the dialogue at the level of heads of states is effective. “I would like to see the same dialogue between all branches of the government of the Republic of Moldova,” Chairman of the State Duma said. There are a lot of issues to be discussed at the level of parliaments: the development of economic relations, the growth of trade, assistance to Moldovans who live in the territory of the Russian Federation. According to official estimates, about 380 thousand Moldovans live temporarily or permanently in Russia, according to unofficial data — more than half a million.
Viacheslav Volodin suggested establishing of a working group on relations with the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) to discuss the accumulated issues.
“The development of relations, the dynamics set by the Presidents of our states is much obliging,” Chairman of the State Duma said. However, the Parliament of Moldova itself is not a partner of the State Duma, only the Socialist Party continues to be engaged in dialogue. In this regard, Viacheslav Volodin said that “it is necessary to develop the proposal and find the forms that will allow the dialogue with the Party of Socialists and help to establish a working group.” The working group should include representatives of Committees on Agrarian Issues, on Issues of the CIS and Contacts with Fellow Countryman, on Culture, on Education.
Viacheslav Volodin noted that such a format is special and non-standard, “but we proceed from the premise that inter-parliamentary relations cannot be linear, cannot have strict boundaries.”
The suggestion was supported by the Leader of the Party, the head of the PSRM faction in the Moldovan Parliament Zinaida Greceanîi, who took part in the meeting. She called the idea “incomparable”.
On the situation in Transnistria and openness to dialogue
Igor Dodon thanked Russia for the openness to dialogue with Moldova.
“I want to thank personally and on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova all state structures of the Russian Federation for the openness to the dialogue and solution of the problems faced by our producers, our exporters and our citizens who are temporarily or permanently in Russia. We feel this openness at the level of the President — we have had a very good dialogue over the past two years. We feel it from the State Duma,” President of the Republic of Moldova said.
Igor Dodon noted the role of Russia in solving the Transnistrian problem: “We highly appreciate the role of the peacekeeping operation. This is a guarantee of peace and stability on the banks of the Dniester. ”
He stated that the mission should be continued.
President of the Republic of Moldova also thanked for the opportunity to deliver a speech at the plenary session of the State Duma. “This is the first time in 27 years of independence of the Republic of Moldova and this platform is very important for us,” he said.
Igor Dodon added that it is important to help Moldovan citizens living in Russia. More than half a million Moldovans temporarily or permanently live on the territory of Russia, they help to strengthen ties between our countries and contribute to the economy of Moldova. “Every year our citizens who work in Russia transfer more than $ 1 billion. This is 5–6 times more than all foreign direct investment over the past year,” he said and stressed that it is important to create comfortable conditions for them. Igor Dodon mentioned that during the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, they reached an agreement to launch a new mechanism to solve migration problems from January 1.
President of the Republic of Moldova also announced that next year will be declared the year of Moldova in Russia, and 2020 will be the year of Russia in Moldova – it was agreed with Vladimir Putin. A detailed plan of events is being prepared.
