In his message to President of the Republic of Abkhazia Raul Khajimba, Vladimir Putin noted that in the outgoing year relations between Russia and Abkhazia were developing in the spirit of alliance and strategic partnership. The Russian President expressed confidence that joint efforts to strengthen mutually advantageous cooperation in various areas would be continued.
In his message of greetings to President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Mr Putin noted that the outgoing year saw significant achievements in various areas of Russian-Armenian relations. Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union opened up new prospects for strengthening the alliance and partnership between the two countries in the international arena. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that joint efforts to resolve pressing matters of bilateral cooperation and enhancing mutually beneficial integration would be continued successfully, which meets the fundamental interests of the fraternal peoples of our two countries and is in line with efforts to ensure peace, stability and security in Eurasia.
In his message to Federal Chancellor of the Austrian Republic Werner Faymann, the President of Russia stressed that despite the complicated international situation the relations between our two states have retained a certain positive potential and a mutual interest in constructive cooperation in various areas. The Russian President also expressed hope that in the coming year relations between Russia and Austria will advance further.
Addressing President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Vladimir Putin noted that the outgoing year had been quite intensive and fruitful for bilateral relations, and expressed hope that joint efforts to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two states in the interests of security and stability in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region would continue.
In his message of greetings to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin stressed that the outgoing year would go down in history as the year of the launch of the Eurasian Economic Union, which has greatly expanded integration opportunities for Russia and Belarus. The Russian President also added that in 2015 work continued within the Union State, with dynamic development of the entire range of trade, economic, scientific, technological, humanitarian and inter-regional ties between the two countries.
Congratulating President of the Federal Republic of Brazil Dilma Rouseff, the Russian leader noted that he is looking forward to continuing the substantive dialogue and constructive joint efforts to strengthen the entire range of partnership ties between Russia and Brazil, including their cooperation in the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral organisations. Vladimir Putin also expressed hope that the coming year would be successful for Brazil, including in hosting such an important international event as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Russian President also sent a message of greeting to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, noting that he expects to see constructive development of Russian-Canadian ties in the coming year in all areas – from trade and the economy to sport, “with our traditionally fierce but friendly hockey battles.”
In the message to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the New Year and the Spring Festival, Vladimir Putin noted that the outgoing year has seen a number of significant developments in relations between Russia and China. Thus, the joint celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Victory in World War II helped strengthen the traditional Russian-Chinese friendship. The reciprocal years of friendly youth exchanges held in 2014–2015 were also a success. The Russian President stressed that he is looking forward to further constructive work to develop the entire range of Russian-Chinese ties.
The President of Russia sent greetings to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro on the Republic’s national holiday, Liberation Day, as well as Christmas and the New Year. Vladimir Putin noted that time-tested relations of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Cuba are at a high level, and expressed confidence that through their joint efforts the countries would ensure further strengthening of Russian-Cuban ties in the spirit of a strategic partnership.
The message of Christmas and New Year greetings from Vladimir Putin to President of Finland Sauli Niinisto says: “I look forward to continuing in 2016 our joint efforts to strengthen mutually advantageous ties between Russia and Finland in the trade, economic, scientific, technical, humanitarian and other areas for the benefit of our friendly peoples.”
In his message to President of France Francois Hollande, the Russian President stressed that in 2015, Russian-French relations developed constructively despite the complicated international situation. “The tragedies our people experienced leave no doubt regarding the need for truly close cooperation in combating terrorism and resisting other threats and challenges to global security,” the message reads in part. Vladimir Putin also highlighted the fact that Russia and France will need to make a significant effort to further strengthen their partnership in various areas.
The President of Russia sent a message of greetings on Christmas and the New Year to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, noting that 2015 had confirmed the significance of close cooperation between Russia and Germany for European security and for the effective resolution of pressing international issues and resisting the threats and challenges facing humanity. Vladimir Putin also expressed hope that joint efforts would continue to further strengthen the partnership between Russia and Germany in the interests of the two countries and the entire continent.
In his message of greeting addressed to Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that in 2016 relations between Russia and Hungary would develop further for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and in the interests of stronger European security and stability.
In his messages of greetings to President of the Republic of India Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, the Russian leader stressed that the outgoing year saw the further advancement of the privileged strategic partnership between the two countries. Vladimir Putin noted that the launch of the official procedure for India’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was a prominent event of the outgoing year, expressing confidence that there is every chance to quickly complete the process.
In his message of greetings to Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin noted with satisfaction that Russian-Israeli relations have retained their positive dynamics, expressing his resolve to make every effort in the coming year to enhance the entire range of bilateral ties for the benefit of the people of Russia and Israel and in the interests of ensuring stability and security in the Middle East.
In his message to President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella and the country’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Vladimir Putin noted that, despite the complicated international situation, Russian-Italian ties in the outgoing year developed rather actively. The Russian President also stressed he would be happy to welcome the Italian President in Russia with a return visit so they could continue their joint efforts to expand bilateral cooperation in the interests of the peoples of the two countries.
Congratulating Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, the President of Russia confirmed his sincere interest in further joint work to strengthen the entire set of relations between Russia and Japan and in constructive cooperation in resolving pressing international issues. Vladimir Putin noted that cooperation between the two countries is moving along the track of strengthening security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.
Congratulating President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on the New Year, the Russian President noted that a lot had been done lately to strengthen the good neighbourly alliance between the two countries. Vladimir Putin also expressed confidence that in the coming year efficient cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan in all spheres would grow for the benefit of the two fraternal peoples and in the interests of greater stability and security in Eurasia.
Greeting President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye on the New Year and the Lunar New Year, Vladimir Putin noted that this year, Russia and the Republic of Korea marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The Russian President also expressed confidence that based on the results achieved, Russia and the Republic of Korea would continue developing the entire range of bilateral relations and coordinating their efforts in resolving pressing international issues to strengthen peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
In his message of greetings to President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, the Russian President noted that in 2015, joint efforts led to noticeable success in all the key areas of Russian-Kyrgyzstani relations and a broader partnership in regional affairs. “Of extreme importance here was the accession of Kyrgyzstan to the Eurasian Economic Union,” the message reads in part.
In his New Year and Christmas greeting to President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti, the Russian President expressed hope that in the coming year relations between the two countries would see positive development.
In his message of greeting to Prince Albert II of Monaco, Vladimir Putin thanked him for his personal contribution to the development of relations between Russia and Monaco and noted that the Year of Monaco in Russia gave an extra impetus to bilateral cooperation in various areas and further promoted friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.
In his message of greeting to President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, Vladimir Putin noted that 2015 saw the successful implementation of joint projects in trade, the economy, science, technology, humanitarian and other areas. The Russian President stressed that the constructive cooperation of the two countries within BRICS helped establish this union as a mechanism of full-scale cooperation on key international political and economic issues.
The Russian President sent New Year and Christmas greetings to President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic. The message notes that in the outgoing year relations between the two countries developed in the spirit of a strategic partnership with new mutually advantageous projects in various areas. Vladimir Putin also stressed that he highly values the visit to Moscow by the Serbian President to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which was clear evidence of a common approach by the two countries to the lessons and legacy of the past.
The President of Russia congratulated President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov on the New Year and Christmas, stressing that the outgoing year was marked by a successful development of relations in all areas. Of special significance was the signing of the alliance and integration agreement.
The President of the Russian Federation also sent a message of greetings on Christmas and the New Year to King Felipe VI of Spain, expressing confidence that cooperation between Russia and Spain, based on many centuries of traditions of friendship and mutual respect, would grow even stronger.
In his message of greeting to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Vladimir Putin noted that 2015 was quite fruitful for relations between the two countries, expressing confidence that Russian-Tajikistani constructive cooperation would continue to develop dynamically and would contribute to greater stability and security in Central Asia.
Addressing President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Russian President stressed that relations between Russia and Turkmenistan continue serving as an example of friendship and strategic partnership, as the outgoing year has once again shown. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that through their joint efforts, Russia and Turkmenistan would ensure further expansion of bilateral cooperation in all areas, as well as constructive cooperation in regional and international affairs.
In his messages of Christmas and New Year greetings to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vladimir Putin noted that he is looking forward to fruitful cooperation between Russia and Great Britain in the coming year and to efficient cooperation between the two countries in resolving pressing European and international issues and repelling threats and challenges to global security.
The President of the Russian Federation sent Christmas and New Year greetings to President of the United States of America Barack Obama. “The outgoing year has shown that relations between Russia and the United States are one of the key factors of international security,” the message says. Vladimir Putin also expressed confidence that as they build a constructive dialogue and cooperation taking into account each other’s interests, Russia and the USA would efficiently resist all new threats and challenges and help resolve crises in different parts of the world.
The President of Russia sent greetings on the coming New Year to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, noting that a lot has been done lately to develop the Russian-Uzbekistani strategic partnership and alliance that rests on old traditions of friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of the two countries.
The President of Russia also sent a message of greetings on Christmas and the New Year to His Holiness Pope Francis, expressing confidence that the fruitful cooperation between Russia and the Vatican would further promote a more stable world order based on the principles of peace, justice and humanity.
Addressing President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, the Russian leader stressed that the outgoing year had been very successful for the strategic partnership between Russia and Venezuela and expressed confidence that the entire range of mutually beneficial ties between the two countries would continue to grow in the interests of international stability and security.
The President of the Russian Federation also extended his New Year greetings to the heads of several international organisations, including Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge; President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, and Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee Jean-Claude Killy. Mr Putin expressed confidence that the coming XXXI Olympic Games in Brazil to be held under the IOC leadership would be a success and a true festival for all sports fans. The Russian President also sent his greetings to President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Rene Fasel, and President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer. In his message to Mr Fasel, Mr Putin expressed confidence that his active work as President of the International Ice Hockey Federation would assist in the successful preparation and hosting by Russia of the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.
Also, the Russian President sent Season’s greetings and wished a Happy New Year to a number of former heads of state and government and political figures, including Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Silvio Berlusconi, Fidel Castro, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon, Gerhard Schroeder, Helmut Kohl, Henry Kissinger and Tarja Halonen.
