“The biggest challenge and the most important task for Europe in the next 10 to 15 years is the integration of Russia into European structures,” said PACE President René van der Linden today, addressing the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Saint Petersburg. “The success of the European continent cannot be guaranteed without a strong and profound partnership with Russia.” The President said that change in a power such as Russia would take more than a fortnight, and that “understanding and patience” was needed. However, he stressed that Russia must also fulfil its Council of Europe commitments, as all member states must do.