“Russia is a European country and should have its proper place in the field of European values. That’s why France - and I assure you of this - waged a genuine struggle to find a useful and appropriate solution regarding Russia's place in the Council of Europe, ”the French president said.
He recalled that the decision to return the Russian delegation was made during the French presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
“I believe in European Russia and in sovereign Europe, that is, a stronger Europe, which should gain new opportunities through dialogue with Russia,” Macron emphasized.
The Russian president, in turn, agreed that France’s position has probably played a key role in Russia's return to the Council of Europe.
On June 26, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution reaffirming the full powers of Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Europe recognized the role of Moscow in solving pressing problems.
Member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Yevgeny Primakov, in an interview with Nation News, expressed confidence that sooner or later all countries would realize that without Russia PACE would not be able to work effectively.