EU Parliament's report attempt to meddle in Russian internal affairs - State Duma speaker

MOSCOW. Sept 16 (Interfax) - The European Parliament's recent report and resolution on Russia and the upcoming Russian elections is an attempt to meddle in this country's internal affairs, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said.

"The European Parliament's decision is unfriendly by nature. We regard it as an attempt to interfere in our internal affairs and influence the citizens who are to make their choice," the website of the Russian parliament's lower house quoted Volodin as saying on its website.

"We won't tolerate such resolutions, especially as they are adopted before the moment our citizens vote," Volodin said.

"They will decide for themselves, who will be in power. Pressure on them is unacceptable. We will do everything to defend our country from such unfriendly actions, understanding that this is an attempt to stop the development of Russia," he said.

Observers will work at the Russian elections, he said.

"Our elections are open, in contrast with electoral processes in the U.S., in European states," he said.

"Go engage in developing your own countries; address the problems of citizens who elect you. As regards citizens of Russia, they know themselves whom to vote for, whom to support. We cherish our country and will do everything to make it develop and be strong," the Russian State Duma speaker said.

The European Parliament approved a resolution earlier on Thursday, calling on Brussels to be ready to not recognize Russia's parliament if democratic principles are breached during the upcoming elections in Russia.