Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Remarks by Mr.Petr Illiichev, First Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, at the Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of the victims of Tu-154 plane crash on December 25, 2016

We gathered today, one year after tragic events of 25th  December 2016,  when we lost the Alexander Ensemble, journalists, humanitarian worker, philanthropist Elizaveta Ginka. We are still mourning the losses, terrible and tremendous, and we are grateful to the American people who show solidarity during those trying times, we are thankful to the Schiller Institute, New York police department, Fire Department of Bayonne for organizing this event.

Time passes by but the loss is still felt but the best way to pay tribute to those courageous men and women who were present at that night is to remember them and to continue their course.

In Russia the Alexandrov Ensemble was reconstituted just 2 months after the tragedy. Now new performers, new singers, new dancers were found. And they were found not only because of their merits, because of their voices, because of their craftsmanship but because of their moral qualities, because of their solidarity.

So, the Ensemble is there, it is performing. It has performed in more than dozen countries. 

The Charity foundation that was founded by Elizaveta Glinka is continuing its noble course helping people in need, sometimes in very difficult situations.  It was decided that the public award named after Elizaveta Glinka will be established and the first award will be made on 20 th February, her birthday.

So let's remember these people who are trying to show solidarity, to show sympathy with people all over the world, especially the people in Syria.  

And this year Syria saw some positive changes. The so-called Islamic State was defeated, the Syrian parties started talking each other: talks in Astana, talks in Geneva continued. Now we're going to have progress of the national dialogue in Sochi trying to bring end to the civil war in Syria.

And again, the best tribute to those people who perished, will be to remember them, may their souls rest in peace. 

Thank you!