The congratulatory message reads, in part:
“In recent years, Russia and France have achieved new, considerable gains in developing bilateral cooperation. We succeeded in minimising the negative effects of the global crisis on our trade and economic ties, not only maintaining but also stimulating mutual investments, and launching many major new projects.
The large-scale events occurring within the framework of the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia, successfully held in 2010, were also significant for our peoples. I do not doubt that the Season of Russian Language and Literature in France and the Season of French Language and Literature in Russia, planned for 2012, will strengthen the mutual sympathy between the Russians and the French even further.
France firmly holds its place as one of Russia’s key international partners. Together, we are capable of making a significant contribution to resolving current problems on the global and regional agenda, effectively withstanding new challenges and threats, and overall, doing a great deal to help the world become more just and stable.”