The Speaker of the National Assembly Georgi Pirinski met on 18 June 2009 with the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Alexander Torshin.

The talks were focused on the promotion and strengthening of the Bulgarian-Russian relations. The National Assembly Speaker and the Russian guest expressed their high appreciation of the contribution that both countries’ parliaments have made to this end. Georgi Pirinski recalled the 2008 formal visit of the Federation Council Chairman Sergey Mironov who participated in the festive celebrations of the 130th anniversary of Bulgaria’s liberation and highlighted the energetic activities of the groups for friendship between the two countries in the Bulgarian and in the Russian parliament.

The National Assembly Speaker pointed out that the legislative institutions have to assist the settlement of citizens’ problems. We are faced with the task to establish such a link with the voters, which would secure a permanent process of communication between parliament and civil society, underscored Georgi Pirinski, adding that this would be one of the forefront issues for the next National Assembly.

Another topic, subject to discussion at the meeting, was the challenges related to overcoming the global financial crisis.

The Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Alexander Torshin is on a visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Angel Marin.