WORLD
RUSSIA TO PRESIDE AT PACE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE IN SECOND HALF-YEAR
As the chairman of Committee of the State Duma on the international affairs Konstantin Kosachev has stated at press conference in ITAR-TASS, Russia will preside for the first time in such pan-European organization that is a challenge and simultaneously an opportunity of notable influence in this important and necessary organization.
However, the head of the Duma committee has noted in this connection, the January session of PACE will be very heavy for Russia. He has not excluded, that in January session within the framework of standard procedure of transfer of powers from one presidency to another, someone from deputies can initiate a question about no-approval of the powers of Russia, having added, that in Europe there are forces which are not sympathizing Russia and which will find opportunities of rendering on it pressure.
Concerning the offer of Hungary to bring for discussion of session the issue of the recent gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the context of “inadmissibility of use of energy carriers for rendering pressure upon the European countries”, K. Kosachev has named it “search a sting against Russia and the far-fetched theme”.