"Indeed, the Russian Federation is insufficiently represented in the Council of Europe in comparison with its payments to CE," Mr. Schwimmer told a press conference in Moscow.
"One of my priorities is to improve this situation," he said.
The number of Russian representatives in the Council of Europe doubled during my staying on the post of the CE Secretary General," Walter Schwimmer added.
He expressed hope for the official abolition of death penalty in Russia.
Death penalty moratorium is preserved in the country since 1996 due to the hard position of the Russian leadership, he noted.
"Europe is an area free from death penalty. I would like Russia to officially abolish death penalty and ratify human right conventions No. 6 and 13," Walter Schwimmer said.
