The message read, in part:
”This holiday is being celebrated for the first time, but Russian diplomacy has a history of more than a century. Service in the foreign affairs department has always been considered honourable and prestigious, and the level of training of its staff has always been high.
”The current generation of Russian diplomats values and augments the remarkable professional traditions of their predecessors. Enormous responsibility lies on the MFA staff for the efficient and effective pursuit of the country’s foreign policy course, the goal of which is strengthening the authority and prestige of Russia, its active participation in solving urgent and significant international problems and equal integration into the world economy.“