Russian and French parliamentarians face a lot of similar tasks and global challenges,
which can only be solved effectively together, stated a member of the State
Duma Committee on International Affairs Sergei Zhelezniak
Zhelezniak
Sergei Vladimiroviсh
.
The parliamentarian noted: “First of all, our work must be guided by the interests
of our citizens. In face of global external challenges, the persistence of a terrorist threat, the aggravation of the international situation in several
regions of the world, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the crisis
of international law, which collapse we see today, migration problems and economic instability, the Russian-French parliamentary commission should put at the forefront of its work issues of ensuring European security and strengthening bilateral relations.
Moreover,
modern society faces a number of problems in preserving cultural and national
identity, as well as civilizational values.
Our voters
in both Russia and France want to be confident in a peaceful and serene future,
they want to understand in what world they will live and raise their children.”
“The second
set of issues requiring parliamentary support and inter-parliamentary
interaction is growing concerns of the Russian and French business communities.
French businessmen are naturally concerned about the sword of Damocles of American sanctions, which the United States imposes, at its own discretion,
even in relation to traditional European partners. We have a lot of opportunities for interaction that were not realized in the sphere of interregional cooperation but that can help us create favorable conditions for development.”
“We shall
also understand how to solve global problems, such as climate change, ecology
and the impact of technology on humans and the environment, from the point of view of the inter-parliamentary partnership, including within the framework of the High Russian-French parliamentary commission, together with the scientific
community of our countries.”
Zhelezniak
also drew attention of the French colleagues to the problem of US withdrawal
from the INF Treaty. He stressed: “We all understand clearly that medium-range
and shorter-range missiles are not designed to fly across the ocean and cannot
threaten the United States. Washington’s withdrawal from the INF Treaty is a serious threat to Europe from the United States since it now intends to deploy
these missiles in Europe, including France. Russia did everything possible for the United States not to destroy the INF Treaty.
US actions
make Europe a hostage of American military ambitions. We would not like to be
involved in this arms race. It is obvious that we will have to adequately
respond to the aggressive actions of the United States, which does not pay
attention to the interests of Europe and Russia. It can be concluded,
therefore, that the main task of the US maneuvers is to contain the development
of Russian relations with European countries, including France, which,
notwithstanding all beautiful words, is perceived as a rival by Washington.”
