RIYADH, February 26. /TASS/. Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Speaker of the Saudi Consultative Assembly (Parliament) Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Ash Sheikh discussed issues of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation during a meeting in Riyadh.
During the meeting, Volodin invited Saudi parliamentarians to visit Russia this year. "You and I discussed signing an agreement between the State Duma and the Consultative Assembly. It would make sense to do this during your return visit to Russia," Volodin said.
"The trade turnover between our countries is growing. We are increasingly active in the humanitarian cooperation area. Therefore, it is very important that we systemitize this work," he said. "For our part, we need to do everything possible to provide legislative support for the decisions made at the level of heads of state - the Saudi king and the Russian president," Volodin said.
According to Volodin, introducing new modes of cooperation will be key to developing inter-parliamentary dialogue.
"This is a historic visit for the Consultative Assembly and for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We pay extremely important and earnest attention to cooperation with Russia and note the positive dynamics in the development of relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia, especially given the agreements that are being reached between the Saudi king and the Russian president," Al Ash Sheikh emphasized.
Volodin proposed that the deputy chairmen of the State Duma and the Consultative Assembly be entrusted to prepare a plan for joint parliamentary work. Al Ash Sheikh supported the proposal. The Chairman and the State Duma delegation were also welcomed to take part in the parliamentary session during the visit to the Consultative Assembly.
At the meeting, Volodin also mentioned that an Arabic-language version of the Duma's official website was recently launched.