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Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin conveys Russian president’s greetings to Pope Francisco

Naryshkin led the Russian delegation at the enthronization of Pope Francisco I in the Vatican City

ROME, March 19 (Itar-Tass) – Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin who led the Russian delegation at the enthronization of Pope Francisco I in the Vatican City on Tuesday said that Russia and the Vatican held similar views on major international problems. Naryshkin told Russian journalists that he had had a short meeting with the Pontiff after the ceremony. He conveyed the greetings and good wishes to Pope Francisco I from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian State Duma speaker said that relations between Russia and the Vatican had seen progress in recent years. The two states established diplomatic relations with each other in December 2009. That created additional conditions for expanding bilateral and international cooperation.

“As far as international affairs are concerned, Russia and the Vatican hold similar views, which often coincide, on major international problems. This is a good foundation for searching for joint solutions to major international problems and building a new world order,” the Russian State Duma speaker emphasized.

The newly-elected Pontiff is well-known in Russia for his consistent stance on questions of social justice and the protection of family and moral values.

“These themes are close to us. Therefore, there are many reasons for cooperation,” Naryshkin concluded.

In the meantime, the Russian State Duma, who’s paying an official visit to Italy, on Tuesday invited Italian parliament speaker Laura Boldrini to visit Russia.

“I met my Italian colleague Ms. Laura Boldrini who has recently been elected the speaker of the Italian parliament,” Naryshkin told Russian journalists.

He said that Russian and Italian parliaments maintained good inter-parliamentary ties.

A large inter-parliamentary commission is working. “Its last meeting was held in Florence last October. That is why I invited Ms. Boldrini to visit Russia this year so that we could meet and continue our cooperation,” the Russian State Duma speaker said.

Laura Boldrini, who represents Italy’s center-left forces, was elected speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian parliament on March 16, 2013. She was the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 1998 to 2012.