Russian regions can contribute to cooperation with Yemen - Matviyenko
MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko has discussed cooperation between Russian regions and Yemen with Yemeni President Abd Rabuh Mansur Hadi.
Matviyenko met with President Hadi, currently on an official visit to Moscow, on Wednesday.
The 85th anniversary of Russian-Yemeni relations will be marked this year, Matviyenko said.
"This is a good occasion to analyze what we have done over these years and to make plans for the future. The countries have traditionally friendly inter-parliamentary relations, and the Federation Council as a chamber representing interests of regions is very much interested in giving a boost not only to inter-parliamentary cooperation but also to cooperation between regions," Matviyenko said.
The Federation Council is ready to discuss the option with the Yemeni parliament, she said. Interaction between regions can contribute to the broadening of Russian-Yemeni trade and economic contacts, Matviyenko added.
Besides, the Federation Council wishes inter-parliamentary cooperation to be an important element of inter-state relations, she said.
The Yemeni president shared the opinion. He stressed that his country needed investments, primarily in infrastructural projects.
"We are interested in the return of Russian companies to Yemen and support acceleration of their operations; the proposal to develop inter-regional cooperation may play this role," the Yemeni leader said.
The interlocutors also discussed humanitarian contacts in tourism, culture, education and science.