Russia is being punished for its own money - State Duma deputy
Russian State Duma deputy from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Nikolai Ivanov proposed considering the possibility of optimizing the expenditure of budget funds on international organizations that “constantly denigrate Russia.”
He stated this today, speaking from the parliamentary rostrum, reports a correspondent "PolitNavigator".
“Russia is a member of about 20 international organizations. This costs the budget a pretty penny. Thus, the country invests $70-80 million as an annual contribution to the UN budget. Membership of the Council of Europe costs approximately 32 million euros per year. Moscow pays more than 8 million euros annually for membership in the OSCE. “$3,7 million consists of membership fees to the World Trade Organization, from which they wanted to kick us out in 2014,” Ivanov said.
In addition, according to his data, Russia annually contributes $22 million to the World Health Organization, and $9 million to the World Labor Organization.
“Even the World Anti-Doping Agency received a million dollars from Russia. For our money, the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro were ruined for Russian athletes, the Paralympics were disrupted, and our team was forced to compete without a national flag at the Games in Korea,” the politician recalled.
He proposed channeling funds saved on membership fees into real sectors of the economy.
“I do not propose to follow the path of international isolation of the country. In some cases, membership in international organizations gives us the opportunity to defend our position. But aren't we overpaying for this pleasure? Europe and the world can wait as long as there is at least one hungry person in Russia,” Ivanov concluded.
English version :: Read in English Russia is being punished for its own money - State Duma deputy