MOSCOW (Sputnik) — He underlined that while the senate's resolution serves as a recommendation, "the government cannot bypass the opinion of parliamentarians."
"Of course, I consider this decision to be positive. Speaking yesterday at the State Duma's plenary session, I said that opposition to anti-Russian rhetoric, Russophobia is growing among European politicians and lawmakers.The French Senate's decision is part of this trend," Naryshkin said.
French senators voted in favor of the resolution, while 16 voted against the initiative.The resolution proposed by the opposition calls on the French government to protest extension of EU sanctions against Moscow. Although the resolution is not legally binding, the document will be sent to the French government for consideration.
Earlier, the French National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, voted in favor of the resolution calling for lifting of anti-Russian sanctions.