Russia part of Europe, says deputy parlt speaker

Budapest, April 21 (MTI) – Russia is as much part of Europe as countries in western or central Europe, the deputy speaker of Hungary’s parliament said on Tuesday.

“There are no good countries or bad countries, or more European and less European ones,” Sandor Lezsak told an international conference focusing on opportunities in cooperation between central Europe and Russia.

He said that the only way for European countries to co-exist is through understanding one another and respecting each other’s values and interests. “This is a message that must always prevail,” he said.

Vladimir Sergeyev, the Russian ambassador to Hungary, said there are evidently problems existing in relations between Russia and central Europe. He mentioned among these sanctions, the issues of security and the expansion of NATO’s borders, as well as a “lack of trust” between the two sides.