CSTO PA Representatives Work at the Russia–Africa Parliamentary Conference

The 2nd International Parliamentary Conference Russia–Africa is held at the Russian State Duma on March 19–20. It brings together representatives of academic and expert communities from Russia and African countries, State Duma deputies, heads of federal executive bodies, Federation Council senators, chairpersons of legislative bodies of Russian regions, representatives of the business community and over 40 official parliamentary delegations from most African states.

 

A delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty also attended the event.

 

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma and CSTO PA Council, interest to the parliamentary conference is tremendous. He said that the parliaments can promote the development of relations based on the principles of non-interference and mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

Within the framework of the conference, Vyacheslav Volodin held bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations – speakers of parliaments and chambers of parliaments of African countries.

 

Relations between the countries must be built on the principles of mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation and non-interference in the affairs of sovereign states, the State Duma Chairman stressed during his meeting with Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

 

“Zimbabwe is well aware of what sanctions are, and this brings us closer together. We must understand: by overcoming them, we become stronger,” Mr Volodin said.

 

Participants of the round-table discussion Indivisible Security: Opportunities and Contributions of Parliamentarians discussed the importance of protecting sovereignty, non-interference in the affairs of other states, fighting poverty, countering terrorism and military and biological threats.

 

“No single nation can ensure security on its own. There is no security in an insecure environment. Security requires a global approach,” said Ousmane Bougouma, President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Burkina Faso.

 

In July 2023 St Petersburg plans to host the second Russia–Africa summit.