Russia: Slovak Delegation Meets Volodin, Danko Admires Russia's Progress (2)

Moscow/Bratislava, January 13 (TASR-correspondent) - The Slovak parliamentary delegation met with head of Russian Duma Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow, with Slovak House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) underlining that the Slovak delegation made its affiliation with the EU clear, pursued Slovakia's national interests while sending a signal to other EU members that it's necessary to keep the dialogue open, TASR learnt from its special correspondent in Moscow on Monday. According to Gaspar, Slovakia would like to contribute to the defusing of global tension and the restoration of old ties - economic as well as those sports- and culture-related. He reiterated that Slovakia intends to conduct foreign policy in all four cardinal direction. House Vice-chair Andrej Danko (SNS) claimed that the Slovak delegation received information about the current situation in Russia. "What we see in the Russian Federation is enormous economic progress, particularly in its food self-sufficiency," stated Danko. "I voice respect for what the Russian Federation, headed by President [Vladimir] Putin, has managed to accomplish. You have my respect and admiration for the way you overcome challenges," declared Danko, who also hopes that this visit to Russia won't be the last during his current term of office. Gaspar responded to criticism, according to which such visits work to drag Slovakia closer to Russia. "I praise what was genuinely a dialogue between equal partners. I also praise that we've managed to make our positions clear. And to all the critics I'd like to say that no real solutions will be possible without discussion. That's what this visit was about," he said. At a joint press conference, Volodin emphasised that Russia's stance is that Moscow refrains from interference in domestic affairs of other countries and engages in mutual cooperation. In Volodin's view, Slovakia and Russia share the same values, as Russia strives for the building of a multi-polar world and the fomenting of ties based on sovereignty and respect for every country's interests. Volodin invited his Slovak partners to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the WW2 Victory Day, slated to be held in Moscow on May 9 and to a thematic international conference. He also thanked Slovakia for its upkeep of memorials dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Red Army. mf/mcs