New level and new formats of dialogue
Vyacheslav 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)
emphasized
the need for enhancement of inter-parliamentary cooperation aimed at implementation
of the agreements reached between the presidents of Russia and Cuba.
“There is a proposal to create new formats of interaction that will allow us not only to understand better each other, but also to solve current problems,” said the Chairman of the State Duma and noted its necessity in the current conditions of the pandemic, challenges and sanctions pressure.
He proposed to build active cooperation between the relevant committees of the Parliaments. In particular, they mentioned issues of cooperation in such areas, like tourism, science and education.
Vyacheslav Volodin proposed to create a high-level inter-parliamentary commission.
“We will be able to understand each other better and discuss issues and find solutions within the framework of inter-parliamentary cooperation,” emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma.
This would improve the dynamics of relations and help the inter-parliamentary dialogue to reach a new level, as well as to strengthen our countries and help protect our citizens, according to Vyacheslav Volodin.
He also invited Esteban Lazo Hernández to take part in the International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism”.
Esteban Lazo Hernández, for his part, noted the excellent level of cooperation between the countries, the long history of interaction between Russia and Cuba, and constant contacts between the parliaments of the two states.
The President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State of Cuba is also convinced that there is still a lot to do to develop inter-parliamentary relations.
“We are interested in strengthening the existing close cooperation that brings our parliaments together,” said Esteban Lazo Hernández.
Condemning sanctions
Vyacheslav Volodin condemned the sanctions policies pursued by the Western states. He stressed that sanctions against Russia were introduced without any pretext and reason. According to him, there is only one explanation for that: “They do not want Russia to be a strong and self-reliant state. There is the same situation with Cuba. We are against such approaches.”
The Chairman of the State Duma recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed to discuss security issues with the United States of America so that the whole world would be protected, but the US authorities “only want to strengthen their own state at the expense of others”. “But the time of a unipolar dominance is over,” emphasized Vyacheslav Volodin. The NATO expansion, as the alliance is getting closer to the borders of our country can lead to tragedy, according to the Chairman of the State Duma. “The foundations of security have been destroyed,” he said and noted the need to continue dialogue and cooperation.
Vyacheslav Volodin also thanked Cuba for supporting Russia’s decision on DPR and LPR.
“The decision to recognize these republics is the only way to stop a bloodbath and aggression,” said the Chairman of the State Duma and stressed that it was necessary to protect our citizens and compatriots.
Esteban Lazo Hernández mentioned the restrictive measures that the United States continued to use against Cuba for 60 years and condemned the US interference in Russia's internal affairs, the NATO expansion, which “is a threat to the Russian Federation and the whole world”.
“Russia has the right to defend itself, and NATO must pay attention to the demands of the Russian Federation for security guarantees,” stressed the President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the State Council of Cuba.
