Photo:
RIA Novosti
More than 300 Russian and foreign diplomats came on Wednesday at ceremony of farewell to the permanent representative of the Russian Federation at the world organization Vitaly Churkin. This was announced by Russian diplomatic mission on his page on the microblogging network Twitter.
“More than 300 Russian and foreign diplomats paid their final respects to Ambassador Churkin, at a farewell ceremony in new York city”, – stated in the message.
At the funeral ceremony were made by the widow Irina Churkina and his son Maxim, Russian Ambassador in Washington Sergey Kislyak, the permanent representatives of the United States, Nikki Haley and Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov, Deputy of the Russian Ambassador Pyotr Ilyich and Vladimir Safronkov, as well as the UN Secretary-General, antónio Guterres.
The latter noted the “unquestioned authority” Churkin in the Security Council and the respect which he enjoyed among his colleagues. “I think that if in heaven people need to work, God will make him a diplomat,” said the administrative head of the organization.
Vitaly Churkin, who held the post of permanent representative to the UN since April 8, 2006 died February 20, the day before your 65th birthday. The UN Security Council on Tuesday held a minute of silence in memory of him and the General Assembly in the coming days will hold a special meeting to pay tribute to him. Thursday-18:00 new York time at the permanent representation of the Russian Federation will open a condolence book.
Earlier official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that the coffin with the body Vitaly Churkin will arrive in Moscow on 23 February, and the next day in the Russian capital will hold events about the exact time and venue are to be announced.