PACE Chief Confirms Russian Invitation for Parliamentary Assembly

The president of the recently elected Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Pedro Argamunt on Friday confirmed receiving an invitation to participate in an Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of member coutnries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Russia.

STRASBOURG (Sputnik) – The recently elected Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Pedro Argamunt on Friday confirmed receiving an invitation to take part in an Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Russia.

Speaker of the upper house of Russian parliament Valentina Matvienko said earlier in the day that Argamunt "spoke favorably" of Russia’s invitation to take part in the May 19-20 spring session of the Assembly, to be held in St. Petersburg.

Speaking on the subject with RIA Novosti, Argamunt confirmed receiving the invitation and expressed hope of being able to attend the Assembly. Argamunt asserted that diplomacy and dialogue are the best methods of resolving outstanding issues and avoiding "catastrophic consequences."

A PACE resolution in April 2014 deprived the Russian delegation of its voting rights, after Crimea became a part of Russia. Russian lawmakers were barred from participating in PACE's three key bodies — its bureau, presidential committee and standing committee.

The 2014 resolution curbing Russia’s rights in PACE was renewed in April 2015, while additional confirmation of the delegation's credentials was scheduled to take place at the winter session.

The Russian delegation said it would not be submitting its credentials on time for the opening of the winter session. It has stated that it would pay its CoE contribution for this year in full, with a third to be transferred this month.