MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The assembly adopted a resolution in April 2014 barring Russian lawmakers from participating in the work of its three key bodies – the Bureau, the Presidential Committee and the Standing Committee.
Russia did not renew its credentials ahead of the Assembly’s 2016 winter session and made its return conditional on the full restoration of its delegates' voting rights.
"We do not act offended or slam the door, we do everything to continue dialogue with the authorities of the assembly and national organizations," Matvienko said during a meeting with Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland.
According to Matvienko, it seems that PACE authorities themselves see "the absurdity of the situation," in which Russia does not take part in the work of the assembly.
Jagland is currently on a working visit to Moscow and has already met Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of the parliament.
