ST. PETERSBURG, July 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that parliamentarians of the BRICS countries can play a role in easing tensions and shaping a multipolar world.

"Today, parliamentary dialogue, including within BRICS, is more important than ever. After all, as advocates for the interests of your peoples, mouthpieces of their political and national will, you are keenly aware of the genuine requests, sentiments and needs of millions - it would be no exaggeration to say billions of people - on our planet," the Russian president said, addressing the BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

He is confident that the parliamentarians "will make a significant contribution to addressing the issues of socio-economic development of the BRICS countries, improving the welfare of the peoples and will do their utmost to reduce international tensions, to create a more fair, democratic, multipolar and multilateral world order."

Putin drew attention to the theme of the current forum - The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security. "It is extremely important, speaks for itself, emphasizes the nature of global, fundamental transformations that our planet is going through today," the president said.

The Russian leader believes that "open discussions, direct conversation of people's representatives with each other are fully in sync with the very philosophy and principles of the BRICS world perception" - "consideration of each other's interests, reliance on democracy in international relations, respect for sovereignty, the right to the unique development of everyone". "These 'BRICS' principles are close and understandable to all participants of our association, which is rapidly growing and acquiring a qualitatively new level of influence on the global developments," Putin pointed out.

In his separate remarks, Putin welcomed President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Tulia Ackson. "We see your participation in the forum as a sign of support for the creative partnership of representatives of legislative authorities from the countries of both the global South and the East, and in general all countries interested in constructive interaction and cooperation. Their initiatives on key issues on the international agenda," the Russian president said, addressing the president of the IPU.