MOSCOW, January 29. The representatives of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will not be able to observe the elections to the state Duma in 2016, said Chairman of the Duma Committee on international Affairs Alexei Pushkov at a press conference V.
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“The absence of the Russian delegation to PACE not only means our physical absence in Strasbourg during the session and the lack of in the conference room,” said Pushkov. According to him, it is that “all forms of cooperation between Russia and the PACE, the preparation of reports by the PACE in Russia, visiting Russia rapporteurs and the members of the monitoring missions, our contacts with the official representatives of PACE, all cancelled.”
“Accordingly, is repealed and the involvement of PACE in the monitoring of Russian elections”, – said the head of the Duma Committee.
The issue of Russia’s return to PACE
Russian deputies and senators can return to work in the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2017, as by that time in the organization may change, said Alexey Pushkov.
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“I think it is possible to talk about what Russia may return to the Assembly in January 2017. But we must understand that the issue of Russia’s return will depend on the mood in PACE,” he said.
According to Pushkov, it will be important, “Lee PACE will Mature by that time to take a fresh look at relations with Russia, or not ripe”.
“To come back on any terms, we will not. Sanctions against Russia make it impossible for Russia’s participation in PACE,” he said.
According to Pushkov, PACE by 2017 “can be some changes”.
“Marginal factor in the activities of the Council of Europe”
To say that the representatives of the Russian non-systemic opposition will be replaced in the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe deputies of the Russian Federation, incorrectly, believes Chairman of the State Duma Committee on international Affairs Alexei Pushkov.
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“The participation of the Russian non-systemic opposition in the PACE was held on a low level… it was not the speeches in the plenary”, said Pushkov.
He explained that usually in the plenary of PACE invite speakers of national parliaments. Kasyanov spoke at a meeting with representatives of factions and it, according to Pushkov, come hear about 40 people.
“To say that the Russian deputies will replace PACE in the opposition, has no reason There… (PACE) are well aware that the opposition comes to engage in public relations and propaganda,” said the head of the Committee.
Thus, according to Pushkov, the performance of the Kasyanov to PACE is solely an expression of his personal opinion. He called the participation of Kasyanov in the work of the parliamentary Assembly “marginal factor in the activities of the Council of Europe”, which will not affect Russia’s attitude and PACE.
“On leaving the Council of Europe it is not”
At the same time, Pushkov said that Russian withdrawal from the Council of Europe it is not and the conflict is only with one structure of the CE parliamentary Assembly.
“I wouldn’t think to analyze the “catastrophic” scenario, Russia continues to participate in the activities of the Council of Europe, the withdrawal of Russia from the Council of Europe it is not,” said Pushkov at the press conference V.
He noted that “the Assembly may not exclude any delegation because of the country members of the Council of Europe as such”. “If the country pays its dues, it is possible to get rid of some of the country PACE, not in condition,” he said.
“If we want to have good relations with Europe, our participation in the Council of Europe is logical. No country voluntarily refused from the participation of the Council of Europe,” he said.
According to him, Russia’s participation in the Council of Europe is essential if Russia wants to “go forward together with Europe”.
This year, the Russian parliamentarians plan to hold a series of events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the country’s participation in the activities of PACE, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on international Affairs.
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of Russia’s participation in PACE. In this regard, we have planned some activities now being dealt with by their format,” he said.
