#2 - RW 263
BBC Monitoring
Russia's Putin praises UN role, says ideological division in the world over
Source: RTR Russia TV, Moscow, in Russian 0200 gmt 26 Jun 03

[Presenter] A grandiose reception in honour of the president of Russia ended in the City of London several hours ago. Vladimir Putin is the first Russian leader in the last 150 years for whom such a magnificent celebration [attended by 750 people] has been organized in the business centre of the British capital.

This is the library of the medieval Guildhall. Those invited include Michael, Prince of Kent, and his wife, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, diplomats and all British nobility. Lord Mayor Gavin Arthur wearing diamond regalia handed over to Putin a welcoming speech placed into a special coffer. The coffer was brought in on a tray made in the 11th century.

[Putin] I visited many places and many countries, but I've never seen such a colourful ceremony.

[Presenter] Then distinguished guests proceeded into the Great Hall for the banquet. In his speech, Lord Mayor of the City of London Gavin Arthur brought the attention of the business elite to Russia's economic achievements and assured the Russian president of Britain's determination to support Russia's bid for accession to the World Trade Organization.

Putin said in his turn that the integration with Europe had become Russia's choice a long time ago.

[Putin] Russia has now chosen vector of its development and visualizes the European vector as one of the main areas of its interaction on the world arena and one of its priorities.

[Presenter] The president touched upon some political issues including new challenges, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. The world economic situation will depend on how effective our common struggle against these threats will be, Putin said.

[Putin] We must not lose what has been gained by mankind over the centuries, namely, international law and the entire international system the central role in which belongs to the United Nations Organization. This system worked quite well in recent decades, and civilization now has no alternative to it. Now, when the ideological division in the world is over, its potential can be used to the full.

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