MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russia is strengthening its position in the world despite external pressure, and its circle of friends among other nations is expanding, Federation Council (upper house of parliament, or "senate") Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.
"Despite enormous external pressure, Russia continues to strengthen its positions on the world stage. This is confirmed by the results of the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in South Africa and the 9th Summit of Speakers of the Parliaments of the G20 countries in New Delhi. The 147th IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union - TASS) Assembly in Angola and the events of the fall session of the IPA CIS also went well," she said, pointing out that Russian senators participated in these international events, defended Russia's position "and promoted the voice of truth."
"The circle of friends of our country is expanding. Against all odds. And this is the best proof that all attempts to block Russia are doomed to failure. Definitively and irrevocably," she emphasized.
Matviyenko also noted that the central event of the coming year, which promises to be of critical political and historical importance for Russia, will be the Russian presidential election. "It is obvious that unfriendly countries, both now and in the future, will attempt to interfere, in a glaring, persistent manner, in our electoral process, and so the authorities at all levels and institutions of civil society must make every effort to ensure that the election campaign is held in strict compliance with Russian legislation and without any violations. We must ensure the absolute legitimacy, transparency and competitiveness of the election, and do everything possible to preserve the country’s political stability and further development," she said.
The top senator asked the Federation Council Ad Hoc Commission on Protecting State Sovereignty and Preventing Interference in Russia's Domestic Affairs to "work 24 hours a day and monitor any attempts to interfere [in the election]."
Matviyenko also said that Russia’s senators will have a lot of legislative work to do next year. In addition, a number of major events are planned at the Federation Council, in the regions and on the international track.
"It will be opened by the 12th Christmas Parliamentary Session, which will be held in the Federation Council in January and will be devoted to the issues of Orthodoxy and national culture. We will be holding the 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, [as well as] the next, the 4th, Eurasian Women's Forum, and the 10th anniversary of the BRICS Forum," the top Russian senator said. Considering the serious tasks that await Russia’s senators, Matviyenko wished them a restful New Year’s holiday that is full of positive emotions and allows them to recharge and gain new strength "for active and effective work in the spring [legislative] session."