Ban expresses to Putin strong international cooperation to fight terrorism

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin his deepest condolences to families of victims of the recent attacks in Volgograd as well as to the Russian people following the terrorist bombings that killed dozens and injured scores more. "The Secretary General stressed the importance of strong international cooperation to fight terrorism and noted that the perpetrators must be brought to justice," Ban's press office said in a statement said, adding that President Putin assured him that Russia would work within the bounds of international law to do so. Both men spoke over the phone. President Putin expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General for his personal condolences, which were "greatly appreciated" by the Russian people, and noted that the international community "must work together" in the fight against terrorism, and commended the UN for its important role in coordinating efforts to fight organized crime and terrorism, according to the statement. The statement also said that both officials discussed various developments related to Syria, and that President Putin confirmed Russia's "strong support" for the International Conference on Syria, Geneva II, to take place in Switzerland on January 22nd, and for the second humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, to be held in Kuwait on January 15th.