Putin: State Duma must become regular platform for extensive dialogue

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the seventh convocation of the Russian State Duma.

He urged the newly-elected State Duma to build a strong Russia, but without superpower features. According to him, this is the most important condition of preserving its independence and existence.

"We should always remember that the strength and all the makings of Russia’s potential are the most important condition of preserving our statehood, independence and Russia’s existence as an integral common home for all of its peoples," he said.

Putin said that the election campaign was transparent and the competition was honest. "The results demonstrate the will and choice of Russian society. I see a guarantee of the legislative branch’s strength and authority in the absolute legitimacy of the parliament," he noted.

He also called for more communication between lawmakers and society at large, as well as political parties which didn’t win a seat within the parliament. "I believe that as a result, the Parliament will be receiving more efficient feedback from the voters, the civil society and the regions, which means a better quality of legislative work," Putin hopes.

Putin noted that the parliament’s decisions must be based on civil accord. "Therefore, the State Duma must become a regular platform for an extensive public and political dialogue," he stressed.

The president also thanked the previous Duma and expressed his hope that the new parliament would continue its work.