The President’s message reads, in particular:
“Today we pay tribute to the outstanding achievements and peaceful victories of Russian diplomacy. Throughout the more than 200 years of the Russian foreign service’s work, the honour of bearing the title of Russian diplomat has always been synonymous with devoted service to our homeland, a broad world view and high level of professionalism. It is very important that this tradition remains unbroken today and that today’s generation of diplomats seeks to write new and glorious chapters of their own in the chronicle of Russian foreign policy.
This last year has been rich in major international events for our country. The capabilities of our diplomacy were in particularly great demand during Russia’s presidency of the G8. The preparation and organisation of numerous G8 events, including the summit in St Petersburg, required well-organised work on the part of the Foreign Ministry and precise coordination with the work of other ministries and agencies. It is no exaggeration to say that as it took an active and significant part in resolving the biggest issues on the world agenda over this last year, Russian diplomacy has displayed its best qualities – initiative, pragmatism, and focus on achieving concrete results.
I am sure that your professionalism and your ability to respond with swiftness and precision to the issues that emerge will continue to play a decisive role in strengthening Russia’s national security and in developing our political, business and humanitarian cooperation with other countries.”