"The first contacts, while only in absentia, with the new PACE president are encouraging normalization of relations with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I think Pedro Agramunt’s high level of professionalism and many years of political experience will contribute to the restoration of Russia’s constructive participation in PACE," Matvienko told RIA Novosti in an interview.
Matvienko added that Russia was taking all necessary steps to normalize the relations and there could be a possibility to hold a meeting with Agramunt this year.
In late January, Russian delegation to PACE stated that Russia would not be submitting its credentials in time for the opening of the winter PACE session.
Russia has repeatedly stressed that its delegation will not return to PACE as long as the April 2014 resolution imposing sanctions on the Moscow delegation following Crimea’s reunification with Russia remains in force. Under the resolution, Russian lawmakers were barred from participating in PACE's three key bodies — its bureau, presidential committee and standing committee.
