Putin calls UN Secretary-General's presence at Victory Day celebrations in Moscow "very organic"
MOSCOW. May 9 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for attending he May 9 celebrations in Moscow and said the UN secretary-general's presence at the celebrations is organic.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation and coming to the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Victory over Nazism. The presence of the UN secretary-general is very organic at such events," Putin said at the beginning of his meeting with Ban Ki-moon.
"I mean that it was the countries that defeated Nazism that created this organization, it was created to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the world again," Putin said.
The Russian president also thanked all people who work in the UN for their efforts to maintain international peace.
Ban Ki-moon, for his part, pointed out the significance of his presence at the parade, saying it indicates cooperation between all countries that are members of the UN in the prevention of tragedies such as WW II.
Ban Ki-moon said WW II was truly a tragedy, but it helped the world become convinced that there was a need to create the United Nations Organization, which will also be celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. For that reason, Ban Ki-moon said his presence at the parade as secretary-general of the UN symbolizes an increase in cooperation between the UN countries.
