MOSCOW, December 18. /Corr. Sergey Izotov/. Russian parliamentarians remain ready to dialogue with the parliaments of European countries, including the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This was stated by Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on international Affairs Konstantin Kosachev met with the head of the European Parliament Committee on foreign Affairs Elmar Brok.
“Once again wanted to confirm that even in these difficult conditions we have always maintained and maintain readiness for direct contacts and dialogue,” said the Senator. He added that this applies “as contacts with the European Parliament and European national parliaments in the EU, as well as the parliaments of other countries, including Ukrainian”.
In turn, the head of the European Parliament Committee expressed interest in the resumption of relations with Russian parliamentarians. “And that’s why Mr. (co-chair of the parliamentary cooperation Committee Russia – European Union Otmar) Karas and I arrived in Moscow, and we will report the results of our trip at the conference of presiding country of the European Union and talk about the possible ways that exist to restore relations with the state Duma and the Federation Council”, – he said.
Brock added that while the difference in opinions MEPs believe that they “can not close the channel of communication” with Russia.
About the anti-Russian sanctions
According to Konstantin Kosachev, the opinion of Brussels on the practical effect of anti-Russian sanctions do not correspond to the real understanding of things.
See also
All sanctions of the West against Russia
“Maybe in Brussels and there is an illusion that these sanctions have here (in Russia) some practical effect, or produce some kind of psychological impression, then you are very far from the truth and a real understanding of things,” said Kosachev.
The Senator also expressed regret that the EU sanctions “are common, including, and on a number of Russian parliamentarians”. “I don’t know how much you delved into the details of why certain names of Russian parliamentarians was to your the sanctions list. But believe me that there are people who are no different in their political position from other colleagues who work in the state Duma and the Federation Council”, – he stated. “Our decisions in appropriate situations, including Ukrainian, were in both houses and unanimous unanimous”, he stressed.
According to Kosachev, the EU’s decision to punish parliamentarians who spoke in the debates during the parliamentary debate “is an obvious violation of the first principles of parliamentary and any other political diplomacy”.
Background
Currently in the black list of the EU included 151 citizen of Russia and Ukraine, including representatives of the leadership and power structures of the Russian Federation, a number of Russian deputies and businessmen, representatives of local authorities of Crimea, as well as the leaders of the proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk national republics (DND and LNR). The number of companies placed under sanctions, will reach 37.
In addition to the black list, the EU since 1 August 2014 imposed against Russia sectoral economic sanctions.
