27/10/2011 President
The PACE President met with the Speaker of Russia's Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, in Moscow today.
"The Federation Council is a longstanding constructive partner and our co-operation has always been very fruitful," Mr Cavusoglu said.
He also expressed PACE's support for ongoing reforms aiming at modernising Russia’s political system and strengthening the rule of law, in line with European democratic standards.
"As parliamentary and presidential elections are approaching, it is essential to make sure that the campaign and the voting meet the Council of Europe standards of free and fair elections", he said.
The Assembly will send a delegation of 40 MPs, led by Tiny Kox (Netherlands, UEL), for the observation of the parliamentary elections on 4 December.
After the meeting, the President was awarded the Order of Merit for Developing Parliamentarism, the highest distinction of the Federation Council.