In a message addressed to President of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that the consistent implementation of the agreements reached in October will make it possible to further develop the Russian-Abkhazian relations of friendship and cooperation. “Russia will continue to provide full support to the fraternal Abkhazian people in addressing the tasks of strengthening their independent democratic state and ensuring peace and security in the South Caucasus,” the message reads.
The congratulatory message to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan reads that the effective development of the strategic partnership between Russia and Armenia contributes to the deepening of integration processes in the CIS and providing security in the South Caucasus. “We hope that next year, which will be marked by the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Armenia, will be distinguished by efficient and result-oriented efforts in the implementation of major joint agreements,” the message reads.
In his message to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Dmitry Medvedev wrote that the outgoing year was marked by the progressive development of the entire range of Russian-Azerbaijani relations. Mr Medvedev praised the joint organisation of Baku International Humanitarian Forum in 2011, and expressed confidence that the shared commitment to strengthening good-neighbourly relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, based on a long tradition of friendship and mutual understanding fully meets the interests of Russia and Azerbaijan and the objectives of providing stability in the region.
In a message to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the Russian leader noted that in the outgoing year the Russian-Belarusian partnership acquired a new positive momentum and achieved real progress in “mutually beneficial integration projects.” “Starting from January 1, 2012 Common Economic Space will open up new opportunities for enhancing our multilateral relations. Our agenda includes the transition to the next stage of integration and the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the message said.
President Medvedev wished Governor General of Canada David Johnston and Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Russian leader noted that in 2011, “Russian-Canadian cooperation developed steadily and constructively”: trade and economic ties expanded and exchanges were carried out in the fields of culture, science and sport. The Russian President stressed the huge cooperation potential between Russia and Canada as part of the G8 and G20, the Arctic Council and APEC.
In his message to the President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao, the President of Russia noted the success of joint activities in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China, the principal document that laid the “foundation for building strong bilateral relations based on mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Dmitry Medvedev particularly stressed the high intensity which distinguishes political dialogue at all levels, allowing Russia and China to “effectively coordinate their positions in the framework of such multilateral organisations and formats as the UN, G20, APEC, SCO and BRICS.”
The Russian President also highlighted achievements in economic and humanitarian areas: growth both in the quantity and quality of mutual trade, joint implementation of promising high-tech projects and the planned Year of the Russian Tourism in China and Year of the Chinese Tourism in Russia.
In his congratulatory message to President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, Dmitry Medvedev wrote that 2011 was marked by the development of multilateral Russian-French relations, largely due to the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia held in 2010, which generated a number of ambitious projects in a wide range of sectors. The Russian President stressed that the impact of the French Presidency in the G8 and G20 became an important factor in the joint efforts to overcome the crisis in the global economy, and expressed confidence in the continuation of successful teamwork.
In his message addressed to President of the Federal Republic of Germany Christian Wulff, the Russian leader stressed that in the outgoing year the Russian-German strategic partnership continued to grow steadily while remaining “an important pillar of stability and security in Europe.” Dmitry Medvedev expressed confidence that the German-Russian multifaceted cooperation will continue to deepen through joint efforts “both in state policies and in the format of public exchanges.”
Addressing Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that the two states can be rightly proud of “the successful implementation of many large-scale projects,” including the launch of the first stage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and the organisation of the Russian-German Year of Education, Science and Innovation. The Russian President particularly highlighted “the active preparations for the Year of Russia in Germany and Germany in Russia to take place in 2012–2013, which will feature joint activities on an unprecedented scale.”
In a message addressed to President of India Pratibha Patil, the Russian leader stressed that 2011 was marked by “further deepening of the privileged strategic partnership.”
In his message to Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, Dmitry Medvedev noted that the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Moscow has given an important impetus to the development of multifaceted Russian-Indian relations. The President of Russia expressed confidence that “fruitful cooperation with India on topical issues of global and regional policy in the UN, the G20, BRICS and other multilateral formats will continue to serve as a major factor in international stability and security.”
In a message addressed to President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano, the Russian leader stressed that the “cross-culture and language project on an unprecedented scale,” became “a shining symbol” of the outgoing year and gave a great impetus to the development of the Russian-Italian partnership. “We reached new frontiers in economic and trade cooperation, including in developing the most advanced high-tech industries, expanding exchanges between representatives of the business community, academic and research institutions,” the message reads.
Dmitry Medvedev wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012 to Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Mario Monti. The Russian President stressed the fundamental importance of ensuring continuity in the Russian-Italian bilateral relations. Among the priorities Dmitry Medvedev mentioned “further strengthening of political contacts and expanding trade and economic relations, including in the framework of joint innovation projects.” The President also expressed confidence that the effective mechanism of intergovernmental consultations will continue to facilitate the implementation of large-scale tasks.
The Russian leader wished a Happy New Year to HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan, noting the constructive cooperation between the two countries in the interest of strengthening friendship and partnership, as well as ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region. “The coming year will bring new opportunities for developing fruitful and mutually advantageous Russian-Japanese relations in political, economic, humanitarian and cultural spheres,” the message reads.
In his message to Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihiko Noda, Dmitry Medvedev stressed that an important outcome of the meeting in Honolulu in November 2011 was the confirmation of a mutual commitment to deepen the political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation. The Russian President expressed confidence that the coming year will be marked by new significant achievements in strengthening bilateral relations.
In his congratulatory message to President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President Medvedev noted that in 2011 the Russian-Kazakhstani alliance gained an additional positive momentum. The Russian leader particularly highlighted progress in implementing large-scale joint projects in the energy sector and expanding investment cooperation.
Dmitry Medvedev also stressed that the integration process has gained a new tangible impetus. “The results of the Moscow summit held in November-December 2011 reaffirmed our commitment to build up effective efforts of the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Customs Union in forming the Common Economic Space and the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the message reads.
In his message to President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambayev, Dmitry Medvedev stressed that “a strong tradition of mutual respect and friendship” between Russia and Kyrgyzstan are a “sound basis for enhancing the whole complex of bilateral ties.” The Russian President also noted “the importance of close coordination in regional associations and international organisations, primarily the CIS, EurAsEC, CSTO and SCO.”
Russian President wished a Happy New Year and Christmas to Acting President and Parliament Speaker of Moldova Marian Lupu. “I hope that the Russian-Moldovan political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, based on centuries-old traditions of friendship and understanding between our nations will further develop in the new year in the interests of both countries and stability in the region,” the Russian President’s message reads.
In his congratulatory message to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Dmitry Medvedev said that an active dialogue within the rich agenda of the Russian-Tajikistani relations continued in the outgoing year. The Russian President also expressed confidence that “building effective communication and close coordination within the framework of the CIS, CSTO, EurAsEC, and other international organisations,” matches the objectives of ensuring “peace and stability in Central Asia.”
In his message to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President Medvedev expressed hope for continued constructive spirit of bilateral cooperation in 2012, which “will be marked by the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkmenistan, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.” “I look forward to continued rapid expansion of fruitful economic and trade cooperation, interregional and cultural contacts, and coordination in international affairs,” the message reads.
In his message to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, Mr Medvedev noted the constructive character of Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in the past year. “The marked increase in mutual trade, the consistent expansion of inter-regional contacts and cultural exchanges are a sound basis for further developing the multifaceted relations between our nations,” the message reads. The Russian President also stressed that great prospects are opening up in connection with the deepening of Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in the integration structures in the CIS, including economic cooperation.
In his Christmas and New Year greetings to HM Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dmitry Medvedev noted that the Russian-British cooperation has been gaining momentum and expressed confidence that it will serve to deepen the mutual understanding between the two countries in the coming year.
In his message to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron, the President of Russia emphasised that the Declaration on a Knowledge-Based Partnership, which was signed during Mr Cameron’s visit to Russia, was clear evidence of the two states’ commitment to “the intensification of political dialogue and the formation of a new substantive agenda of Russian-British relations.” Dmitry Medvedev also expressed confidence that the constructive dialogue will continue in 2012 and significant results in the implementation of agreements will be achieved.
Mr Medvedev sent Christmas and New Year greetings to President of the United States Barack Obama.
The message reads, in part: “Notable progress has been achieved in the past year in several areas of bilateral dialogue, including the start of implementation of the New START Treaty and the completion of a long marathon on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation. Once again I would like to thank you for your support on WTO issues and for your sincere commitment to repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
I am confident that by consistently upholding the principles of trust, equality and mutual respect, we will be able to find optimal solutions to the most complex and sensitive issues affecting the basic interests of our states and of particular importance to global security and stability.”
In his congratulatory message to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Dmitry Medvedev emphasised that the outgoing year was marked by progressive development of Russian-Uzbek relations and that implementing the agreements reached during the top-level talks in Tashkent in June was “an important factor in further strengthening the strategic partnership.”
