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The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has rejected the initiative for the early introduction of amendments to the regulations, guaranteeing Russia unimpeded restoration of their rights in the Assembly, Chair of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE, President of the Committee for Culture and Media Volodymyr Ariev wrote on Facebook during a meeting of the Bureau.
"The Bureau abandoned the idea of promoting illegitimate and quick procedure to change the rules of the Assembly in favor of the Russian Federation. The protests of the Ukrainian delegation have triggered," he said.
Ariev claims that still there will be an attempt to make these changes to the regulations, but according to a standard long procedure. Also, another way to make changes might be used by PACE.
Read alsoPACE report: "War" in Ukraine, not "conflict""It was decided to hold a debate in the political groups of PACE. Depending on the results, the issue will be submitted to PACE Bureau on Friday. In such circumstances, the blitzkrieg planned by pro-Russian lobbyists becomes almost impossible."
"So they begin to talk about a political moratorium on the denial of the powers of delegation, which is purely declarative and against which we must fight in the dialogue during the session," Ariev said.
Read alsoPACE delegate issues statement on Russian Duma elections in Crimea, criticizes new Parliament compositionPACE in April 2014 barred Russian delegates from participating in the work of its Bureau, the Presidential Committee and the Standing Committee.
Russia did not renew its credentials before the PACE 2016 winter session and put forth conditions for its return, insisting on the full restoration of its delegates' voting rights.