Opening Remarks Before Moscow Chamber Orchestra Concert

It is culture that has always brought Russia and the United States closer together, contributed to a better mutual understanding, reinforced and promoted our bilateral contacts, even at the most difficult times and despite all the ups and downs in our shared history.

Arts and music have always served as common ground for us, helping provide our relationship with a degree of stability. It is just the case when the alert call "The Russians are Coming" coincides with the famous expression "From Russia with Love."

The concert by the renowned Moscow Chamber Orchestra in such an unusual setting as the State Department is not incidental. This orchestra has already performed on such venues as the Red Square and the Hermitage Museum, always acting as a brilliant representative of Russian cultural traditions.

Its artistic director, Constantine Orbelian, is a good and long-time friend of ours, who personifies the closest cultural ties between our countries. Being a U.S. citizen, he devoted all his talent and skills to making sure that one of Russia's foremost music companies lives on and continues its creative work.

I would like to mention that Constantine follows in the footsteps of his father - Harry Orbelian, a well-known American businessman and public figure, who was always eager to promote Russia-U.S. relations. We all cherish warm memories of our good friend and are pleased to greet his wife and Constantine's mother - Vera Orbelian - who has joined us for the concert.

It is imperative that all the activities we undertake to mark the bicentennial of our diplomatic ties do not pass as mere ceremonies, but make a tangible contribution to mutual understanding between our nations.

My words of gratitude go to our colleagues at the State Department for making this event possible.