Matviyenko said that Russia is “Mature decision” to withdraw from the Council of Europe
The speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko said that Russia is considering the possibility of leaving the Council of Europe. At the meeting with President of the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Liliane Maury Pasquier in St. Petersburg, she noted that the reason for this is the contradictions that have arisen between Moscow and Strasbourg.
Upstairs
“We’re tired of being boys and girls whipping. We have matured an internal decision to withdraw from the Council of Europe. I tell you this sincerely”, — quotes “Interfax” the words of Mrs. Matvienko. She stressed that Russia “forced to make this choice.”
Recall, Russia was deprived of voting rights and the opportunity to work in the governing bodies of the Assembly and to participate in missions of observers in 2014 in connection with the annexation of Crimea and events in Eastern Ukraine. In June 2017, Russia has suspended payment of contributions to the budget of the Council of Europe. Lilian Maury Pasquier, who led the PACE on 26 June, said that the decision of the Russian Federation not to pay contributions to the organization resulted in the budget deficit of the Assembly.
Moscow suspended its participation in the formation of the budget of the Council of Europe, read the publication “Kommersant”.