Russia Is Ready To Pay Debt Of €60 Million to the Council of Europe

Russia is ready to pay back a debt of €60 million to the Council of Europe, accumulated over two years of non-payment, said a diplomatic source. Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev said that this will happen when the parliamentary Assembly (PACE) will eliminate the threat of further discrimination of national delegations. “In this case, Russia will be ready not only to pay its annual contribution, but also to restore the debt that has accumulated over the past two years. This is our official position, and I can only welcome it”, senator said. In the Federation Council they stressed the need to reform the Council of Europe in such a way that each delegation had a guaranteed right to vote. French Deputy in PACE, Olivier Becht said that Russia should return to the Assembly and have the opportunity to choose the Secretary General of the Council and the judges of the ECHR. “However, at the same time Moscow should give positive signals regarding the solution of the Ukrainian crisis. This country plays a crucial role in Europe, and therefore it must fulfill its duties in accordance with it”, Becht said. His colleague, German Deputy Gyde Jensen stressed that the Council of Europe has always been a platform for dialogue, which excludes the isolation of any of its participants and that one of the main tasks of the organization today is to remain such a platform. Izvestia