RUSSIALINK TRANSCRIPT: “[Putin at] Meeting with Council of Legislators” – KremlinRu

On the Day of Russian Parliamentarism, Vladimir Putin met with the Federal Assembly’s Council of Legislators. By tradition, the meeting took place at the Tavrichesky (Tauride) Palace. [Excerpt]

(Kremlin.ru – April 27, 2018)

[Complete text http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/57376]

The discussion focused on the implementation of the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly by representative bodies of state authority, the development of the legal framework to control the quality of medical services and the development of digital economy in the regions.

Co-chairs of the Council of Legislators, including Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Kaliningrad Regional Duma Speaker Larisa Orgeyeva and Chair of the Vladimir Region Legislative Assembly Vladimir Kiselev delivered reports.

Excerpts from transcript of the meeting with the Federal Assembly’s Council of Legislators

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

First of all, I congratulate you, the entire deputy corps of the country and members of the Federation Council on Russian Parliamentarism Day.

The Council of Legislators is meeting here, in the Tauride Palace, the historical palace where Russia’s first State Duma began its work 112 years ago. Not only do we honour such important historical traditions of our country, but also do everything necessary for the development of modern Russian parliamentarism, to strengthen this most crucial independent branch of power.

I would like to thank the Council of Legislators for your multidimensional work and especially for your significant contribution to maintaining the unified legal space in the country.

This year, on December 12, the Russian Constitution and the Federal Assembly will mark their 25th anniversary. Over these years, the legislative bodies of the federal and regional levels have acquired a huge amount of positive experience. They have improved their parliamentary professionalism both in legislative activity and in the implementation of their representative function.

Notably, our Constitution contains a legal framework for a strong, responsible, influential and authoritative legislature. Clearly, there is a great potential for increasing the efficiency and quality of law-making activities. I will dwell on this topic a little later.

In the year of the 25th anniversary of the Constitution, I would like to ask you to pay special attention to raising awareness and clarifying key norms and provisions of the Fundamental Law during the meetings with the voters and citizens of our country, its importance for the country, society and each individual.

Colleagues,

In the coming years, we will have a big and important job to do which is outlined in the Address. I emphasise once again: achieving the goals is a historical necessity. I am using this word to stress the importance of this. Providing breakthroughs across almost all areas of our lives is a matter of our country’s future.

I am aware that you not only substantively analysed this document, but already prepared plans for implementing it. I would like to hear from you today what is planned specifically and what is being done in the sphere of law-making.

I think that the Council of Legislators can improve the coordination of this work, since practically all the work must be done locally in the regions, and active, focused and competent participation of regional parliaments is absolutely necessary.

Today, we need flexible and modern legislation aimed at promoting high technology across all areas. This means expanding the freedom for entrepreneurs, scientific and creative research, and innovation. Without this, nothing will happen.

However, we should stick to one approach and share the understanding of our joint work. It is necessary to create a single and harmonious legal system, where regional and local regulatory acts are an integral part of the overall concept and do not erode federal regulations, but reasonably supplement and expand them.

As we move along this path, we will ultimately significantly improve the overall competitiveness of national jurisdiction, which is critical, and open new opportunities for domestic businesses and foreign investors.

Of course, much depends on close and constructive interaction of legislators with the future Government during the implementation of the Address. I hope that such work will be effective and harmonious, and that the best practices of cooperation and dialogue between the executive and legislative branches of power will be developed.

Colleagues,

Here, at the Council of Legislators we have repeatedly spoken about the general problems of our legislative framework and judicial technique, and the strict observance of requirements on the structure of acts, their language and the law-making culture.

All of these things are highly important and cannot be relegated into the background or lost in the flood of routine work. In this context I suggest thinking about the consolidation of your council’s contacts with the judicial research community. I believe this will be useful for all, make law-making more solid and help draft clear-cut and transparent rules for many years to come. This is the kind of regulation we are seeking – without rush or fuss. Government bodies, business and all citizens of this country are interested in such a fundamental approach.

In this context, there is one more issue – the need to ensure feedback from voters. Of course, all of you are dealing with this but I would like to point out again that for parliamentary institutions – both federal and regional – the representative function is no less important than the legislative one. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate with the people as much as possible and to meet with them on a regular basis. To be near them, within reach, especially in the times of trouble.

Only this open and honest communication can produce ideas that are much in demand, and draft laws meeting the real aspirations of society and strategic tasks of the development of our state. For instance, this applies to building the digital economy or effective monitoring of the quality of medical aid, and housing and utilities.

I know that these and many other important issues are discussed today at the Council of Legislators. I consider it important for you to start working on these meaningful issues of national development without delay.

Colleagues,

I cannot omit to mention that Victory Day is approaching. I would like to congratulate you on this holiday that is sacred for all of us. Festive events in honour of our veterans are already taking place but it is very important to pay constant attention to them. Any issue, any request should be treated with invariable respect and attention. This is our shared sacred duty.

I wish success and all the best to you. Thank you for your attention ….

[featured image is file photo]