07 June 2002 00:00
SPEECH BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION" PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV AT A RECEPTION FOR AMBASSADORS OF COUNTRIES MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF EXHIBITIONS MOSCOW JUNE 6, 2002
2002-06-07
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
In May 2001 the Russian Federation filed an official application for the right to hold the World EXPO' 2010 exhibition in its capital Moscow with the International Bureau of Exhibitions. I have invited you today in the capacity of chairman of the National Organizing Committee on the Promotion of the Candidacy of the Russian Federation as the Organizer of the World Universal Exposition EXPO' 2010.
Russia used to take a most active part in the international exhibition movement ever since the first 1851-vintage World EXPO.
However, due to historical factors, Russia has never hosted any world EXPO whatsoever. Quite possibly, this largely serves to explain the fact that the idea of holding the EXPO' 2010 in Russia has met with support at all levels. This idea is backed by the Russian Government, Parliament, public organizations and ordinary Russians, too. Moreover, it was actively supported by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.
World EXPOs, which are a unique event in the life of the international community, make it possible to display the most impressive national achievements to the international public, also highlighting specific prospects for the international community's economic, science-and-technical and cultural development. Despite the development of new data-exchange technologies, nothing can replace contacts between people, who are united by common values, interests and goals. Such contacts are gradually becoming ever more valuable; we, too, will be really glad to facilitate them.
Russia has combined various cultures and life-styles of many ethnic groups since times immemorial. Russia is a vast Eurasian power. Our society comprises people preaching all the four main global religions. Russia abounds in all kinds of resources, which have key importance for successful development throughout the 21-st century; the list of such resources includes energy resources and intellectual resources.
The shortest and cheapest routes linking the world's two quickly developing regions, i.e. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific countries, pass through Russia. This country would play an important role in efforts to attain global unity, if it manages to become a bridge linking these two key centers. That's why we believe that Russia will provide the most graphic and symbolic insight into all of civilization's achievements. As our great poet Alexander Pushkin, whose birth anniversary we are marking today, said: "All flags will come a'sailing in." As I mentioned above, we have chosen Moscow, one of the largest megapolises in the world with a population of about 10 million people, as the place for holding the exposition. The capital of the Russian Federation reflects like a mirror all the material and spiritual diversity of our vast country. Moscow is a city with a many-century history, modern and dynamically developing infrastructure, and is the largest industrial, scientific and cultural center of Russia.
The All-Russian Exhibition Center, which over 10 million people visit annually, will be used to accommodate the EXPO' 2010 World Universal Exposition. Under the long-term development plan, the reconstruction of the All-Russian Exhibition Center will have been fully completed by the year 2008. Its exhibition area will total 330,000 square meters. Therefore, two years before the opening of the World Universal Exposition, the All-Russian Exhibition Center will be one of the world's largest exhibition compounds.
I am convinced that the organization of EXPO' 2010 will meet all the requirements set by the International Bureau of Exhibitions in compliance with the 1928 Paris Convention and the strictest criteria for holding such a high-profile international event. The Inquiry mission of the International Bureau of Exhibitions which stayed in Moscow early in May, was able to get convinced in that.
Political stability in Russia, transformations, which it actively carries out actually in all the spheres of life, and sustainable economic growth create necessary prerequisites for holding such a major event as the World Universal Exposition.
Today Russia confidently looks into the future. It is open to the world and the world now perceives Russia in its new quality.
There is a remarkable Russian proverb whose wisdom has been numerously proved by time: Russians are slow to rise but quick to go. I am confident that by 2010 Russia will have changed beyond recognition, and as a modern democratic power will set trends in many spheres of international life.
I am addressing you not only as official representatives of your states in the Russian Federation. I must say that we consider and shall consider you, people well acquainted with our country and with Russians, as honorable envoys of Russia not only in your homeland but everywhere, wherever your uneasy diplomatic career will bring you. That is why we count on your support and request you to persuade your governments into supporting the candidature of our capital.
In conclusion I would like to assure you that to our mind Russia is an ideal place for holding the World Universal Exposition. Our country pays much attention to the organization of the World Universal Exposition in Moscow in 2010 and has all that is necessary for that.
Thank you for attention.
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© Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
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