In a new initiative of the United Russia Party, the one with the largest representation in the Russian Parliament and regional assemblies, a meeting of the International affairs Commission was held with the Diplomatic community in Russia on March 13, 2019. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madame Sanja Jayatilleka participated at the meeting.
The meeting commenced with the welcoming speech of Andrei Turchak, Secretary of United Russia Party’s General Council and Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. ‘This is the first time in the 18-year history of our Party that we simultaneously meet the leaders of foreign diplomatic missions, which represent the countries, participating in the cross-party dialogue. The number of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors, gathered here today, bears evidence of our Party's growing authority in the international arena, despite it being relatively young.' - stated Turchack, emphasizing that this was indicative of unconditional authority of Russia and its political leadership in the international arena.
Turchak also reiterated that in its international activities United Russia is being governed by the directives, issued by the President of Russia. 'They are absolutely open: this is the building of trust, fight against globally common threats, expansion of cooperation in economics, trade, education, culture, science and technology and removal of communication barriers', - he added.
A.A. Klimov, Chairman of the International Activities Commission of the United Russia General Council Presidium addressed the audience and spoke on the main results of the international activities of the Party for 2018 and priority areas for 2019.
E.A. Primakov, Member of International Activities Commission of ‘United Russia’ and State Duma Committee on International Affairs mentioned that the activity of the Party is focused on maintaining sustainable peace and stable security. He also pointed out that issues pertaining to counterterrorism, nuclear weapon nonproliferation and ecology could form the groundwork for cooperation.
Senator K.I. Kosachev, Member of the High Council of the Party and Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs emphasized that interparty ties should become an additional instrument for the development of relations on the level of countries as well as on the level of nations.
The speeches of United Russia Party leaders were followed by the interventions of the Ambassadors highlighting the need for constructive interparty dialogue which will boost the development of cooperation between the countries. During the interactive session Ambassador Jayatilleka made remarks on creating the community of political parties that would transcend right, left and center ideological compartments and the importance of developing political ideas, which could synthesize the best elements in all of them.
