Dear Deputy Presiding Officer,
Dear Veterans,
Distinguished colleagues and guests,
Дорогие друзья,
 
I am so delighted to welcome you today to celebrate Russia’s National Day together.  Twenty seven years ago, on June 12, 1990, the Russian Parliament adopted the Declaration of National Sovereignty, which became a turning point in our country’s history and brought about fundamental political and economic transformations to our society.
This National Day symbolizes a dawn of a new era for our people, who back then, in the early nineties, made their choice in favour of a free and open Russia, a common home for more than 180 ethnic groups and people of different faiths. It was the Russian people’s will and strength that helped us to get through numerous hardships and set our country firmly on a course of democratic reforms.
However, 12th of June celebrates not only these last decades but the long historical journey of more than 11 centuries that Russia has been evolving as a state. A hard, at times tragic, but glorious journey that only a Great Nation is capable of accomplishing. 
Here with us today are those who made it happen, who brought to our countries the long-awaited Victory in the most inhuman of world wars. I am delighted that we are joined today by Mrs Natasha Ivanova-Black, a Russian veteran and a legend, and by the Scottish veterans of the Arctic Convoys. Please give them a warm welcome.
In 2014, at the National Day Reception, I cast an eye back to the history of  Scottish-Russian relations and, in 2015, spoke about Russian presence in Scotland that could be traced almost everywhere, and in 2016 described the mighty involvement of the Scottish people in the history of my country. Today I could have easily read my first script to launch this continuous cycle again, and then again, but recent events in St Petersburg and Paris, Berlin and London, Brussels and Manchester imposed a different  imperative. 
Today we all are facing a similar deadly challenge. The name of this challenge is terrorism,  and it knows no mercy, no religion, no nationality, no frontlines or limits, but only blind hatred to each and everyone of us. There is no remedy against this evil but our resolve and will to stand together and fight against it shoulder-to-shoulder. That is at the very heart of the heroic  legacy of the legendary Arctic Convoys that showed to the entire world that the stoicism and strength of the human spirit of those brave seamen standing together will overcome any hardships. 
The time for political grandstanding is definitely over. Our countries should again follow the path of the Arctic Convoys and build a solid bridge of cooperation in this vital anti-terror agenda for the sake of future generations. No manifestos, no statements or manifestations will shield our kids from the incoming threat. We should join our efforts and make sure that international cooperation on these issues is unhindered by political posturing and prejudices. My country is open and ready to cooperate in full on this crucial issue –a key to international security - in any format and with any intensity and depth, if the other party is ready for this. The longer we hesitate, the more we help those who wish to rupture trust, safety and peace. By following the path of the Arctic Convoys we can certainly discover the right mode for cooperation in these vital issues. 
But the story of convoys is not solely about fight and survival; life was still going on even in the darkest hours. Did you know, for example, what a crew of one of the ships received as a curious gift when its ship called at the port of Polyarnoe – her destination in Russia in 1943? It was nothing less than a beefy reindeer called Olga. You can imagine the heat of a dispute between those on board who were interested in improving their food allowance and those who felt sympathy for this creature. I am delighted to make an official declaration that the humane side prevailed again; reindeer Olga survived and led the rich life of an expat in the Edinburgh Zoo, a fact of which we have recently received  formal confirmation from the Zoo administration.
Being privileged to have Deputy Presiding Officer as our guest of honour today and knowing that she is actively engaged in the Animal Welfare Committee I couldn’t but mention this story. 
We have indeed long tradition of notable interchanges and friendship between the two nations full of exciting and encouraging examples of enterprise, hospitality and dignity.  Yet, we are certainly able to reach further. There is, of course, the task of preserving the heritage of friendship but we should also develop new links and restore the old ones, not to mention the genetics from the times of your Steppe ancestors. 
And since last June we have made some progress.
The Gala-Reception on board the Royal Yacht Britannia on 30st of August last year dedicated to the 75-th Anniversary of the very first Arctic Convoy codenamed Dervish with 41 veterans present was a major success as was the splendid reunion of the Scottish and Russian veterans in Pool-Ewe on 5th to 7th of May this year arranged by the Russian Arctic Convoy Project. A Russian vessel from St Petersburg, Yunyi Baltiec, with four dozen marine cadets on board made a 10-days journey to Scotland to take part in the event, just in time to hit the news with the miraculous rescue of a diver desperately struggling for 11 hours in the open sea. 
That was both an experience and an adventure for the youngsters. With even more to come when they got acquainted with their Scottish peers – a group of local marine cadets – they were all happy to see each other and share some impressions and not only impressions. What a present for the Veterans to see their legacy flourish in new generations growing up in friendship?
We also look forward to more incoming events later this year. The Centenary of the Russian Language studies in the University of Glasgow is due to be celebrated in September. We are honoured to join it. Then in October again in Glasgow we hope to launch officially the Arctic Convoys Tartan and then take the Tartan exhibition to Russia. And finally we are working actively to welcome the Russian Film Days here in Scotland, to which you are all invited.
What we should not forget is that cooperation between Russia and Scotland is not made by officials, but by you and thousands friendly and open-minded people like you. People-to-people ties create a backbone in bilateral relations. If it is in order, the relationship is still functional despite some setbacks. Allow me to express my profound gratitude to all of you who help promote friendly links between our countries. 
I am delighted to see so many compatriots who live in Scotland with us today. Let me address you in Russian: 
Дорогие соотечественники! С Праздником вас, друзья, с Днем России! Знайте, что мы вас ценим и гордимся вами!

And now it is time for a toast. Please raise our glasses to the Friendship between our nations and to the health of the Veterans! Thank you for listening and have a lovely evening.