The President congratulated Mr Yudhoyono on his sixtieth birthday and noted the substantial personal contribution he has made to developing a solid partnership with Russia.
Both leaders said they were happy to see the noticeable expansion in business and cultural ties between the two countries, and discussed the opportunities for building up bilateral cooperation, especially economic relations. The two leaders said this created a positive climate as the two countries prepare to mark the sixtieth anniversary of their diplomatic relations at the start of 2010.
Mr Medvedev also sent the Indonesian President a letter of congratulations, in which he said, in particular:
“You have a deserved international reputation as an influential statesman who is working hard to develop your country, strengthen security and deepen Asian-Pacific region integration.
We greatly value your principled policy of developing a multifaceted partnership between Russia and Indonesia based on the traditional ties of friendship and mutual respect between our countries.
Your personal effort has played a big part in raising the level of our bilateral political dialogue. It has become more intensive, and our business and humanitarian ties are also expanding.
I want to reaffirm that we are ready to continue building up our cooperation in the interests of the Russian and Indonesian peoples’ well-being and prosperity.
I am sure that we will continue to enrich our cooperation with new initiatives and practical undertakings.”