The President of Russia sent the leaders of CIS member states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Mr Medvedev’s congratulatory message to President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh reads: “For all of us this day marks the triumph of humanism and self-sacrifice in the struggle to defend the eternal values of peace, freedom and justice. These values that our peoples share were upheld in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and endured throughout the following decades. And we proved our commitment to them once again in August 2008, when we took decisive joint action to defend the choice of the people of Abkhazia in favour of free and democratic development. I am confident that relations between Russia and Abkhazia, relations built on a solid foundation of broad and comprehensive partnership, will continue to grow and evolve for the benefit of our peoples.”
In the congratulatory message to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan the Russian leader noted: “On these beautiful May days, we pay tribute to all those who by virtue of their military courage in the front lines and their dedicated work in the rear forged a Great Victory. Their immortal feats can teach the current generations loyalty to the Motherland and remind them of the need for unity in the fight against common threats and challenges. I am confident that the Russian-Armenian strategic partnership, a partnership designed to further strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation, will continue to develop dynamically for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening stability and security in the Caucasus.”
“The grateful memory of the heroism of soldiers and those working in the rear, people whose actions during the war established the freedom of future generations, will remain forever in our hearts. Both Russia and Azerbaijan respect our shared history and seek to preserve and enhance the tradition of friendship, trust and good neighbourliness that bind us together. I am convinced that further strengthening of the Russian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership is a duty that we owe to the blessed memory of those who fell in this terrible war,” said Dmitry Medvedev in his congratulations to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
The congratulatory message to President of Belarus reads: “This year's celebration of the Victory means something special to us: 65 years ago after intense and bloody battles foreign invaders were finally driven from Belarusian territory. Freeing Belarus was the prologue to the final defeat of Nazism, to ridding Europe of Hitler's yoke. We remember and honour the indispensable military brotherhood of our peoples and the heroic exploits of our fathers and grandfathers that restored freedom and independence to our entire homeland.”
“The heroic feat of our fathers and grandfathers in defeating Nazism and defending the freedom and independence of the Motherland is a glittering page in the shared history of our countries. In those difficult years, the peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan fought together as a single unit in the front lines and worked hard in the rear. Our duty is to protect and preserve the memory of those responsible for this triumph, and to reinforce the tradition of Russian-Kazakhstani friendship and mutual assistance. I am confident that our joint commitment to further develop and extend our strategic partnership and alliance will contribute to the achievement of this noble objective,” emphasised the head of the Russian state in his message of congratulations to President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.
In a message to President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev the President of Russia noted: “The hearts of the Russian and Kyrgyzstani peoples will forever preserve the memory of our fathers' and grandfathers' joint endeavours in the fighting on the battlefields and in the rear for the Victory over Nazism. I am confident that the tradition of friendship and mutual support that was strengthened in those troubled years will continue to be the basis of our relations and will encourage multi-faceted cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan.”
In a message to President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin, Dmitry Medvedev stressed: “The day of May 9 will forever remain a glorious date in our common history, a symbol of the courage, heroism and valour of those who defeated Nazis and saved the country and the world from Nazism. The duty of present generations is to cherish the memory of the fallen in that terrible war, and to use every opportunity to strengthen our friendship and to further the development of multifaceted Russian-Moldovan relations.”
The congratulatory message to President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity reads: “Our peoples fought shoulder to shoulder against the Nazis for freedom and independence, and for the right to their own development path. Our traditions of partnership and mutual support have passed the test of time and reemerged in the tragic days of August 2008 when we were required to resist the aggression against South Ossetia together. I am confident that the friendship and partnership of our peoples will continue to grow in the interests of peace and stability in the Caucasus.”
“The eternal memory of those who gave their lives in order to free the peoples of Russia and Tajikistan and save humanity from the Nazi threat will remain in the hearts of their grateful descendants, and will forever constitute a part of our shared history. Our sacred duty to the fallen in this terrible war is to strongly oppose any attempts by the forces of international terrorism or political and religious extremism to threaten the security, tranquility and peace of life in Russia and Tajikistan,” reads a message to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
In his congratulatory message to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the head of the Russian state noted: “The bright memory of the heroism of soldiers and those who worked behind the lines is passed on from generation to generation. Reinforced by these terrible battles with the aggressor, the fraternity of the peoples of Russia and Turkmenistan will continue to be the foundation of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between our two countries.”
“This sacred holiday is a tribute to the memory of all those who defended the independence and the future of their Motherland in the terrible battle against Nazism, a symbol of our deep respect for veterans and for those who worked in the rear. The current generations can be justifiably proud of their indomitable courage and unparalleled heroism. I am confident that the peoples of Russia and Ukraine will always cherish the memory of the Great Victory and resist any attempt to rewrite and distort our common history,” reads the message to President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko.
In a congratulatory message to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President Medvedev stressed: “The memory of the glorious deeds performed by our fraternal peoples will stay forever in the minds of future generations. Their unparalleled courage, valour and dedication in the war restored the freedom and independence of our Motherland. I am confident that our shared history and respect for the military feats of our fathers and grandfathers will enable Russia and Uzbekistan to take important steps along the road to enhancing cooperation and strategic partnership.”