160th delegation of national parliaments and international organizations came to the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, held in St. Petersburg from October 14 to 18. A high level of representation of delegations at the event is a sign of respect for Russia and its people. This was stated by Federation Council Chairman Valentina Matvienko on the first day of the unprecedented number of delegations of the parliamentary forum.
Valentina Matviyenko thanked the leadership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for granting the right to hold an assembly in St. Petersburg. “I believe that this is a manifestation of respect for our people and recognition of the merits of Russian parliamentarism,” said the chairman of the Federation Council.
Our relations with the Ministry of Railways began in 1906, during the first State Duma. Then the so-called British group of the Ministry of Railways sent an appeal to the Russian Tsar that Russia should participate in the work of this organization. “We cherish such historical ties,” the Speaker of the Chamber of Regions emphasized. – We are sure that the Ministry of Railways is a universal international structure for dialogue and equal cooperation of parliamentarians from all over the world. This site is not engaged and not politicized. ”
We very much want parliamentarians to be able to touch the great Russian culture and understand that hospitable and benevolent people live in Russia. It is extremely important that the assembly promote the promotion of the Ministry of Railways as one of the most influential and oldest organizations in the world.
Russia made a number of landmark proposals, supported by the Ministry of Railways. It was our country that initiated the adoption of a resolution on the inadmissibility of interference in the affairs of sovereign states – and after long discussions this document was adopted. Russia also made a proposal to document on the site of the Ministry of Railways the prohibition of sanctions against parliamentarians – it was also approved by parliamentarians around the world.
Valentina Matviyenko stressed that Russia gave the opportunity to come to the 137th Assembly to all, regardless of the “restrictive lists”. And parliamentarians need to develop recommendations that would alleviate tension in international relations.
“We did everything to create conditions for such work in St. Petersburg,” she said. – We very much want parliamentarians to be able to touch the great Russian culture and understand that hospitable and friendly people live in Russia. It is extremely important that the assembly promote the promotion of the Ministry of Railways as one of the most influential and oldest organizations in the world. ”
A new chapter of the Ministry of Railways will be elected at the St. Petersburg Assembly. The acting chairman of the Union, Saber Chowdhury, who will have to hand over his credentials in the coming days, noted that in recent years the Union has given impetus to several directions, among which active work on overcoming the consequences of global disasters and countering terrorism. “The IPU is an organization that seeks to ensure the well-being of all the peoples of the world. This we are similar to the UN, the charter of which also identifies a similar goal. ”
Saber Chowhoudry expressed his admiration for the fact that 160 delegations of national parliaments arrived in St. Petersburg – an unprecedented number in the history of the Ministry of Railways! He also noted that the St. Petersburg Assembly is unique in terms of the importance of the discussions. One of them is to ensure gender equality in the government in the proportion of 50 to 50. In this regard, Valentina Matvienko with a smile said that “matriarchy is approaching” – more women appear in leadership positions, not only in politics but also in business.
“So, in society, this approach is in demand – people want more humanity and humanity in the relationship. I am against any artificial measures that ensure equality, it seems to me even humiliating. But the state should create conditions under which a woman can be a mother, a wife, that God has given us, and at the same time build a career, “she said.
Valentina Matvienko especially thanked the secretariat and the staff of the Ministry of Railways, as well as the authorities of St. Petersburg, for participating in the organization of the St. Petersburg Assembly, noting that “this is not a duty compliment.” Of course, the lion’s share of the effort fell on the organizing committee of the 137th Assembly – its members kept the hand on the pulse of the process for a whole year on a daily basis. The Speaker of the Federation Council said that there were other candidates for the assembly – both Moscow and Sochi … But it was in the Tauride Palace that the first State Duma met in Russia.
“It was logical to hold such an important event here. Especially since St. Petersburg remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world – it creates the conditions for creative work. Also, all necessary infrastructure has been created here, which is very important, “Valentina Matviyenko said.
The main resolution to be adopted at the assembly is a resolution on supporting the principles of democracy in the world. And among the topics that parliamentarians of the whole planet will discuss in the city on the Neva are renewable energy issues, a dialogue between government and business, and new developments in the health sector.