The greeting reads, in particular:
“Your representative forum is devoted to important topics such as the interaction between religions and cultures on the European continent, neutralising the threat posed by the proliferation of extremism and ethnic intolerance. A whole range of recent major events and initiatives bears witness to the relevance of this issue. They include the World Summit of Religious Leaders in Moscow and the international conference Dialogue Between Cultures and Interreligious Cooperation held in Nizhny Novgorod.
Your congress that brings together parliamentarians from CIS and Council of Europe members states is called on to continue the tradition of extensive public discussion on the development of interreligious and interethnic dialogue. I expect that during your meeting you will develop fresh ideas and useful recommendations able to provide a major impetus towards deepening European cooperation in this field.
For my part I would emphasise that Russia, a country with a unique experience of harmonious coexistence between different cultures and religions, will continue to fully support the enriching dialogue between civilisations.”