Press Release, October 26, 2013
The Moscow branch of Youth YABLOKO conducted a meeting with Jonge Democraten, young Dutch liberals, at YABLOKO office on October 25, 2013. Ivanka Bloom, Stefan de Koning, Noortje Visser, Eva van Sloten, Maya de Waal, Hanna Hekkert, Bram Has, Matthijs Olde, Eva Rogaar became YABLOKO’s guests.

YABLOKO Secretary for International Affairs Olga Radayeva opened the meeting with a short speech on YABLOKO’s history. She reminded that on that day, October 25, it was the 20th anniversary since the YABLOKO party was founded.

The topics which are of great importance both in Russia and Holland were discussed. Among them: liberal values, human rights, conduction of election campaigns, resistance to nationalists and populists. The Dutch liberals said that nationalistic ideas don’t enjoy high support among the citizens, though representatives of nationalistic parties sometimes manage to enter the parliaments of the European countries. This way Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom got into the Dutch Parliament in 2006. Dutch liberals strongly oppose Wilders’ policy.

Youth YABLOKO activists told about YABLOKO’s goals and objectives and about the political situation in Russia, Moscow Mayoral elections, their struggle for the rights and freedoms of the citizens, the work of YABLOKO anti-corruption department, the situation with education and health care in Russia.
At the end of the meeting both YABLOKO and Jonge Democraten expressed the intention to cooperate and wished each other success at the elections.

Olga Radayeva, YABLOKO Secretary for International Affairs