The President of Russia expressed his sincere congratulations to Silvio Berlusconi on his 75th birthday.
Dmitry Medvedev also sent the Prime Minister of Italy a congratulatory message that reads, in part:
“In many ways, it is your personal efforts that have helped our bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural sectors develop actively and gain new content. The major events held successfully this year within the framework of the Year of Russia in Italy and the Year of Italy in Russia add to our traditions of mutual respect and spiritual kinship, which have historically connected our countries and our peoples.
I am certain that the important events in Russian-Italian relations coming up this year – the official closing of the Year of Russia in Italy and the Year of Italy in Russia and the eighth round of interstate consultations at the highest level – will allow us to reach new heights in bilateral cooperation, for the benefit of our peoples.”