31/07/2007 President
Tomorrow, 1 August, sees the end of the week-long visit to by René van der Linden, the President of the Assembly. Among the highlights were a meeting with Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the Duma, with whom Mr van der Linden discussed preparations for the 2008 presidential elections, the non-ratification of Protocol 14 and ’s relations with neighbouring countries, the European Union and NGOs.
The President also met Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, who will address the Assembly at its next plenary session (1-5 October 2007), and Boris Fedorov, former Minister of Justice and former member of the Parliamentary Assembly.
Mr van der Linden made a speech to students of the in , which receives support from the Council of Europe. This was followed by a discussion with 140 students from all over and other parts of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).
The President also visited the , , Chuvashia, and Severo-Yeniseysky regions where he met with local political and religious leaders as well as representatives of civil society (NGO) and the business community.