In a letter of condolence addressed today to the Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Boris Gryzlov, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu today wrote:

“I was shocked and saddened by the news of more than 100 people, many of them children, perishing in a boat accident on the Volga river.

On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I would like to express my profound sympathy to the people of Russia for this terrible loss of life. Although nothing can bring back those who disappeared, I have no doubt that all the light will be shed on the reasons for this tragedy to prevent this happening again in the future.

I would like to ask you to convey to the families of the victims our expression of great solidarity and sympathy”.