Melnikov continues participating in Oslo conference despite sanctions
OSLO/MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax) - The State Duma's First Deputy Speaker Ivan Melnikov (Russian Communist Party), who is currently in Oslo, has informed attendees of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments that he has been included by the European Union in its sanctions list but the conference's presidium saw it as no impediment to the Russian senior parliamentarian's participation in a discussion.
"Before starting his speech, Melnikov informed the attendees from the rostrum about the sanctions imposed against him by the EU today and asked the hosts whether he could continue taking part in the conference and speak, or whether this was no longer possible. The presidium of the conference stated that it saw no impediment," Melnikov's spokesman Pavel Shcherbakov told Interfax by telephone from Oslo on Friday.
Melnikov has been attending the European conference of speakers for the second day now, actively participating in its events: in particular, on Thursday he presented Russia's position on the issues discussed twice, the spokesman said.
On Friday Oslo hosted a discussion on "Majority and opposition - striking a balance in democracy." Melnikov is attending the conference at the behest of State Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin.