Russian, Georgian parliamentarians meet at Duma for first time in years
MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax) - The first meeting between Russian and Georgian parliamentarians over the past ten years has started at the State Duma, an Interfax correspondent reported.
"Political dialogue on the political authority level is ongoing. Parliamentarians should also arrange such a dialogue and make first steps," head of the Russian State Duma committee on CIS affairs, Eurasian integration, and ties with compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov of the Communist Party said in receiving a delegation of the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia faction led by Giorgi Lomia.
The absence of such a dialogue between Russian and Georgian parliamentarians is "absolutely abnormal," Kalashnikov said. He thanked the Georgian lawmakers for their initiative on arranging the meeting in Moscow.
Kalashnikov said in addressing the visiting Georgian lawmakers that 'a campaign' had started in Tbilisi, "whose participants are trying to call your first steps into question."
He regretted the attempts 'to sling mud' at those who favor the restoration of friendly contacts on the parliamentary level.
Also taking part in the meeting on the Russian side are Kazbek Taisayev and Artyom Kavinov, and on the Georgian side Ada Marshania and Nato Chkheidze.
Following a protocol photo and video session, the meeting continued behind closed doors.
