Russia: Ban Ki-moon thanks Putin for strong 'global leadership'

Russian President Vladimir Putin met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in St. Petersburg on Thursday, on the first day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
The Russian leader told the UN Secretary General that Russia supported all his efforts "aimed at solving the most complicated international problems". Putin mentioned the relations between Moscow and the organisation, saying that "Russia is actively working in the Security Council and at all UN platforms".
Speaking about the role of Russia in the UN, Ban Ki-moon emphasised Moscow's "strong support of international peace and security". He also spoke of the role SPIEF could play "with all this long history of this forum this will really contribute to revitalising the international economic situation".
The UN Chief used the chance to express his "deepest thanks and admiration and respect" for Putin's "global leadership".
At the conclusion of the meeting President Putin presented Ban Ki-moon with the Order of Friendship.
SPIEF was established in 1997 and since then is being held under the patronage of the Russian Federation president. Topics on the world's economy, including the growing role of emerging markets in shaping the regional and global agenda, are expected to top the agenda of the SPIEF discussions.