Vladimir Putin: Mr Director,
Colleagues,
Allow me once more to wish you a warm welcome to Moscow.
Next year will mark 50 years since Russia has joined UNESCO. I think that we should celebrate this event accordingly. Russia is one of the main financial and intellectual sponsors of UNESCO. And it is one of the consumers of the product that UNESCO gives out as a result of its activity.
At the same time, I can note with great satisfaction, Mr Director, that during the time of your work UNESCO has re-established its universal nature.
I also hope that today’s discussion in the framework of the Council for Culture and Art under the Russian President was useful, and I want to thank you for coming to Moscow to take part in this meeting.