MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has stated that Russia is ready to renew bilateral parliamentary contacts with the US during the meeting with US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman, the Federation Council’s press service informed.

Matviyenko has met with Huntsman on Tuesday on the initiative of the US side. "The importance of renewing dialogue at all levels, including the parliamentary one, was noted during the meeting. [Matviyenko and Huntsman] discussed the idea of potential meetings between corresponding delegations within the framework of international parliamentary forums with the participation of both countries. According to Valentina Matviyenko, Russia is ready to renew parliamentary contacts at various levels," the press service stated.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the prospects of Russian-US relations. "The Russian side stressed that the further deterioration [of relations] directly contradicts the national interests of both countries and creates additional threats for international stability and security," the message notes.

Progress in Russian-US relations can only be possible if it is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect towards both countries’ interests, the officials noted.