In his congratulation to President of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, Vladimir Putin expressed his hope that the two countries will continue strengthening their bilateral partnership to safeguard peace and security in the Caucasus region and reaffirmed his readiness to grant Abkhazia continued support in every respect.
Addressing President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Mr Putin noted that in 2012 Russia and Armenia made significant progress in strengthening their alliance. President of Russia expressed his confidence that in the upcoming year joint constructive efforts to build up Russian-Armenian partnership will continue.
The congratulatory message to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reads that promoting friendly Russian-Azerbaijani relations and constructive partnership in international affairs unquestionably meets the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries.
In his congratulation to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin underscored the intensive development over the past year of cooperation between Russia and Belarus and significant results of their joint work within the framework of the Union State, the Customs Union, the Common Economic Space, as well as their cooperation within the CIS and the CSTO. The Russian leader stated his support for further deepening bilateral constructive cooperation and all-enhancing integration.
The congratulatory message to President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff noted that the outgoing year was very successful for Brazilian-Russian relations. It was pointed out that the recent talks in Moscow were instrumental in solving many essential matters of bilateral cooperation and designing new forms of cooperation in addressing pressing international issues.
In his message to Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov, the President of Russia expressed his confidence that 2013 will see further intensification of political dialogue and strengthening of mutually advantageous cooperation in all respects.
In his Christmas and New Year greetings to Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and Governor General of Canada David Lloyd Johnston, Vladimir Putin said the outgoing year proved to be particularly significant for the two countries since it marked the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the 20th anniversary of the fundamental Treaty of Concord and Cooperation and the 40th anniversary of the famous Canada-USSR Super Series in ice hockey.
President Putin stressed his satisfaction with the meeting he had with Stephen Harper at the APEC summit in Russia’s Vladivostok that reaffirmed constructive nature of the Russian-Canadian dialogue. He also expressed confidence that 2013, the year of Russia’s chairmanship in G20 and Canada’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council, will offer many new opportunities for broadening their fruitful cooperation.
Addressing current President of China Hu Jintao, next President of China Xi Jinping, and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Wen Jiabao, Vladimir Putin pointed out the active development of the strategic partnership between Russia and China over 2012, marked by a record high bilateral trade, surging mutual investment flows and stronger ties on all levels. The Russian President expressed confidence that 2013 will witness the same atmosphere of good neighborliness and mutual understand between the two nations.
Congratulating President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro on National Liberation Day, the country’s national holiday, Christmas and New Year, President Putin noted that ties between the two countries are those of genuine friendship and partnership. “I am sure that our joint efforts will result in further successful development of all mutually beneficial Russian-Cuban ties for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of stability and security in the region,” the President’s message reads.
Vladimir Putin congratulated President of France Francois Hollande and specifically stressed that Russia and France have maintained continuity in their bilateral relations and efficiently use their significant trade and economic cooperation potential as well as continue extensive cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
Russian leader believes that joint efforts of the two countries will further promote high intensity of the multifaceted cooperation in the interests of stability and security on the European continent. “I have warm memories of our meeting in Paris, and I’m looking forward to receiving you in Moscow”, Mr Putin stressed in his message.
Addressing Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin noted with satisfaction that in 2012 Russian-German strategic partnership demonstrated a steady development in every respect. “Bilateral trade was record high and we successfully implement major joint projects in various industries. One of the most significant achievements was the launch of the second line of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline”, the message reads.
In his greeting to Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany Joachim Gauck, Vladimir Putin emphasised most intensive advancement of Russian-German ties and the major role in this advancement of the unprecedented in scale programme of the mutual cultural years of Russia in Germany and Germany in Russia.
Addressing Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Putin expressed his certainty that the agreements made during the recent summit in New Delhi will be fully implemented thus opening additional opportunities for further strengthening the entire range of relations between Russia and India which have been strategic in their nature.
Vladimir Putin wished Prime Minister of Italy Mario Monti and President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He specifically underlined a robust political dialogue in 2012 and broadening trade, economic, scientific and humanitarian ties between Russia and Italy. The Russian leader noted his confidence that 2013 will also be marked by effective cooperation on both bilateral and international agendas.
In his message to Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin stressed the constructive character of the talks held during his official visit to Israel in June 2012, which confirms that Moscow and Tel Aviv share a desire to booster bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two nations and in the interests of peace and stability in the Middle East.
In the congratulatory message to President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President pointed out that the outgoing year saw further strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries. He expressed his confidence that the gathering pace of Russia’s and Kazakhstan’s joint effort will benefit mutual multifaceted cooperation and partnership within the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space and advance the creation of Eurasian Economic Union.
Congratulating President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, Vladimir Putin said he was sure that the consistent implementation of the agreements reached during his September visit to Bishkek will ensure further development of bilateral relations in the spirit of alliance and strategic partnership, in the interests of stability and safety in Central Asia.
President Putin congratulated President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti on Christmas and the New Year. “I expect we will continue jointly promoting bilateral ties and mutually beneficial cooperation in 2013”, the message reads.
Addressing HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Russian President highly assessed His Serene Highness’ trust as well as friendly and warm feelings towards Russia, and said that Prince Albert is always a dear guest in Russia.
In his message to President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic, Vladimir Putin stated confidence in successful constructive bilateral cooperation in 2013 in various areas for the benefit of the fraternal people of Russia and Serbia.
The congratulatory message to President of South Africa Jacob Zuma noted that in 2012 political dialogue and bilateral cooperation within various multilateral formats demonstrated progress. “I am confident that in 2013 we will continue working together to strengthen all possible spheres of bilateral cooperation”, the message reads.
In his address to President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, Vladimir Putin noted that the passing year was most important for bilateral relations as the two countries significantly progressed in expanding the legal foundations for their cooperation and intensified their trade, economic and humanitarian ties.
President Putin sent his Christmas and New Year greetings to HM King Juan Carlos I of Spain. He wrote about his warm memories of receiving HM the King in Moscow in July 2012 and expressed his confidence that the forthcoming year will open new opportunities for further strengthening Russian-Spanish relations.
In his congratulation extended to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Russian President specifically underlined the importance of agreements reached by the two leaders in Dushanbe in October. He noted his certainty that gradual implementation of these agreements will further reinforce mutually advantageous bilateral partnership.
Congratulating PM of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, President Putin stressed that last year evidently demonstrated the constructive nature of Russian-Turkish relations and partnership. He noted his satisfaction with the recent talks in Istanbul which ensured progress on a number of crucial issues on the bilateral agenda.
President of Russia sent a letter of congratulations to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and stated his confidence that in 2013 Russia and Turkmenistan will continue boosting bilateral ties in every respect and actively cooperating in regional affairs since that is in the interests of the two peoples and of the peace and stability in Central Asia.
The message to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych noted that in 2012 the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries was progressing through broadened political dialogue and active cooperation on international agenda. Russian leader stated his confidence that in 2013 active joint efforts will continue with the aim of promoting promising multilateral projects.
In his congratulatory messages to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron and HM Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vladimir Putin expressed his certainty that diverse cooperation between Russia and the UK in 2013 will actively progress and thus contribute to security and stability on the European continent and in the rest of the world. The Russian President noted the success of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in the UK, which asserted the role of sport in uniting nations.
The President of Russia sent Christmas and New Year greetings to President of the United States Barack Obama, noting with satisfaction that in 2012 Russian-American dialogue was maintained despite all pre-election specifics. Mr Putin believes that the two countries can use the existing achievements to move forward in various spheres.
The Russian leader stressed that Russia and the US have always been and will remain natural allies in countering present-day threats and challenges of international terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. President Putin expressed his hope to frankly and openly discuss the said issues during the official visit of President Obama to Russia in 2013.
In his greetings to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Mr Putin underlined that in 2012 the relations between Russia and Uzbekistan based on the strategic partnership and alliance principles were successfully advancing. The President of Russia expressed his firm belief that in 2013 energetic joint work in promoting the entire range of bilateral cooperation will continue.
The Russian President whished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez, stating his confidence that stamina and vital power of Hugo Chavez will undoubtedly help him overcome all the hardships and return to the helm of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela guiding it in its successful development.
President Putin also forwarded his New Year greetings to the heads of international organisations, namely President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for preparing for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Jean-Claude Killy, expressing gratitude for their assistance in organising the 22nd Winter Olympics and the 11th Paralympics in Sochi.
Vladimir Putin also congratulated President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Rene Fasel and President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer. Mr Putin congratulated President of the FIFA Joseph Blatter expressing his hope for further active cooperation in bringing FIFA aims and goals into life, especially in arranging the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Besides, Vladimir Putin extended his Christmas and New Year congratulations to some former heads of state and government, in particular George W. Bush, Silvio Berlusconi, Gerhard Schroeder, Tarja Halonen, Nicolas Sarkozy, and others.
