In his telegram of congratulations Mr Medvedev said, in particular:
“Our countries have strong ties of friendship reaching back many centuries. This gives Russian-French relations a special character and determines their importance and in many ways key significance for Europe’s development in general.
Russia and France are working very productively together in trade and the economy today. Our close cooperation in international affairs has gained particular importance now that Paris has taken over the presidency of the European Union.
Our countries have ambitious plans for the future and I am sure that their implementation will help our ties grow even stronger and develop further. This also applies in full to the humanitarian contacts and cultural exchanges that have always played a great part in the relations between Russia and France”.