Vyacheslav Volodin plans to discuss “digital sovereignty” with his colleagues from the CSTO PA

Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, told reporters that the topic of activities of foreign IT companies and “digital sovereignty” will be discussed within the CSTO PA and with Rik Daems, PACE President.

“We will certainly exchange views with our CSTO PA colleagues on the issue of the activities of foreign IT companies who set the national legislation and civil rights at naught. The issues of “digital sovereignty” are becoming increasingly relevant, this topic also ought to be discussed with the PACE President,” the press service of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation quotes the CSTO PA Chairman.

Vyacheslav Volodin stressed that there are national laws and fundamental civil rights, and they cannot be violated.

Among possible instruments of influencing global e-companies in Russia he sees amendments to the tax legislation, as it is done in a number of European countries, or articles of the Criminal Code, as some other countries do it, but “we should study all the proposals and then discuss them thoroughly.”

Speaking about the upcoming meeting with the PACE President, Vyacheslav Volodin added that Russia still advocates dialogue on an equal footing, without double standards, with respect for the partners on the platform.

“But if our colleagues think otherwise, certainly, no one will tolerate it,” he said.

In general, according to Vyacheslav Volodin, most PACE Member States have a reasonable attitude, but they are pressured by the United States.