Alexander Posylkin's welcome speech at the seminar Hawaii: Lessons of History: Russian Flag, and American Annexation

Thank you so much, dear colleagues. On behalf of Deputy Minister Sergey Ryabkov, I would like to welcome all of you and wish you a productive discussion on such an intriguing topic as the history of the Russian flag on Hawaii and the American annexation.

 

As a representative of the North Atlantic Department, which is responsible for Russian-American relations, I would like to express our common hope that people-to-people contacts and scientific cooperation between the Russian Federation and the United States are bringing back to and normalcy. Unlike previous US administrations, current American authorities demonstrate the willingness and the readiness to find the common ground build dialogue on equal and mutually respectful basis. And our seminar undoubtedly contributes to this uneasy, but highly demanded process.

 

In this regard, we have a really unique opportunity to talk about Russian cultural and historical heritage on the Hawaii, and there is a truly limitless space for the scientific research. I am sure that participants of today's seminar and distinguished Professor Niklaus Schweizer will tell us fascinating stories about the Russian-American company on Hawaii and other notable moments of history.

 

So, I wish you fruitful debates and the courage to defend your own point of view.