Europarl to discuss Russia at plenary session in Strasbourg next week - Russian envoy to EU
MOSCOW. June 8 (Interfax) - The European Parliament will have hearings on Russia during the plenary session, which will begin in Strasbourg on June 12, Russian Permanent Representative to the European Union, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Vladimir Chizhov said in an interview published by the newspaper Izvestia on Thursday.
"The European Parliament regularly discusses the Russia theme. This time the debate will be held at the plenary session, which will open in Strasbourg on June 12. The European Parliament is sort of a motley crew, more than 750 people, and different voices can be heard there. Alas, a majority still feels critical about Russia. There are sober voices, too, but they constitute a minority. Let us see what they can agree upon," Chizhov said, answering a question as to whether the EU attitude to Russia may change.
"European Parliament resolutions are not mandatory for EU executive agencies," Chizhov said.
"Of course, they listen to the European Parliament's voice, but it has broader powers in the legislative field. The European Parliament can easily encumber a legislative initiative of the European Commission, which actually happens quite often. They also comment on foreign affairs and often offer baseless critique of Russia and, by the way, some other countries," the Russian envoy said.
