The message reads, in part:
“The current year has a special symbolism: exactly 200 years ago the Greek people stood up for the freedom of their homeland. That aspiration sparked a sincere response in all parts of society in our country. Hundreds of Russian volunteers fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Greek patriots until Greece regained its independence.
Today, it is our duty to maintain and multiply the good traditions of friendship and mutual help, pass on to the new generations the caring attitude towards our history and hold sacred the deeds of our heroes.
I am confident that the rich programme of the Russia-Greece Cross Year of History will be an opportunity to think back to the outstanding and remarkable events in the chronicles of our bilateral relations and will contribute to strengthening mutual understanding between our nations.”