The message reads, in part:
“I was shocked to hear the news about a plane crash at Moscow Vnukovo airport that claimed lives of Total’s Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie and members of the crew.
I kindly ask you to convey my sincere condolences and words of sympathy and support to the family and friends of Christophe de Margerie, an outstanding French businessman, who stood at the origins of many joint projects that laid the foundations for a long-term fruitful cooperation between Russia and France in the energy sector.
We have lost a true friend of our country but he will remain in our memories.”