The Mayor of New York City welcomed attendees to the annual Russia Forum hosted by the Russian Center New York. Nearly 400,000 Russian-speaking people call New York City home, so keeping the city open to Russians and immigrants from around the world is critical to the city's prosperity. The Russia Forum provides an opportunity each year to examine U.S.-Russia relations and how business leaders can work together towards common interests. The Mayor expects the Russian Center New York to take on an increasingly important role in New York, Moscow, and beyond.

1. T H E C I T Y O F N E W Y O R K
O F F I C E O F T H E M A Y O R
N E W Y O R K , N Y 1 0 0 0 7
November 18, 2013
Dear Friends:
It is a great pleasure to welcome everyone as Russian Center New York hosts its annual
Russia Forum.
Here in New York, nearly 400,000 Russian-speaking people call the five boroughs home.
Keeping our city open to Russians – as well as to immigrants and businesses from around the
world – is absolutely critical to our prosperity and future. Every year, Russia Forum New York
offers an excellent opportunity to examine the state of U.S.-Russia relations, and to discuss how
business leaders from both countries can best work together for the benefit of our common
interests.
Together, we can expect Russian Center New York to play an increasingly important role
in New York, in Moscow, and beyond. Please accept my best wishes for another productive
dialogue today and continued success.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor