Mr Putin’s congratulatory message reads, in particular:
“Russia views Canada as a reliable partner in bilateral affairs and on the international stage. The multifaceted and constructive cooperation between our two countries benefits our peoples and helps to maintain peace and strategic stability.
We are committed to continuing to strengthen our bilateral dialogue. Our recent meeting in Heiligendamm was evidence of this desire and affirmed once again that active efforts to promote mutually beneficial trade, economic, cultural, educational and other cooperation projects are the paramount guarantee of the consistent development of our bilateral relations”.