Giving his best wishes to the President of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, he noted that 2008 “included the most important event in Abkhaz history – the achievement of independence. The agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between Russia and Abkhazia formed the basis of future bilateral cooperation, which is built on the principles of good neighbourliness, equality and mutual respect. I am certain that this step is in the long term interests of the people of our two countries, and that it will help ensure peace and security in Transcaucasia.”
Addressing the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, Dmitry Medvedev expressed his certainty that “the outgoing 2008 was characterised by a real strengthening of the Russo-Armenian relationship. As a result of our meetings in Moscow, Yerevan and Kazakhstan, the bilateral links between our countries were given new impetus.”
The President expressed his confidence that the future will see “all efforts directed towards the future deepening of our cooperation in the interests of the peoples of both our countries, and to ensure the stability and security of Transcaucasia.”
In his message to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the head of the Russian State noted that “the relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan is founded on the historical friendship and mutual respect between our countries. It is pleasing that in the past year bilateral cooperation was greatly bolstered in many respects. I have warm memories of productive meetings with you in 2008, during which we laid the foundation for our future development of our bilateral strategic partnership. At its basis – is agreement we reached on the widening of cooperation in the political, economic and humanitarian sectors, in the interests of regional stability and security.”
Greeting the President of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko, Dmitry Medvedev emphasised the fact that “in the past year there has been great progress in cooperation between Russia and Belarus. Our countries have continued to work together to deepen our cooperation, and strengthen the economic foundation of our union. In this context the final conclusion of agreements reached through active bilateral contacts, including our recent meeting in Moscow, is particularly important.
In 2009 we will prepare to mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. For our fraternal peoples – this is a particularly important date. It reminds us of the difficulties we experienced together, and also of our great victory”.
Congratulating the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, the Russian President said that he hoped that “the coming year, 2009, would see us turn a new page in bilateral cooperation with Canada, to the benefit of both our peoples and would serve to strengthen global security and stability”.
In his message to the Governor General of Canada, Michelle Jean, the President of Russia stressed that “the year 2008 was noted for the positive dynamics of the Russo-Canadian relationship”. Dmitry Medvedev said that in his opinion there was gradual progress in the trade relationship between the two countries and that regional links were broadened. The president of Russia also said he was certain that “2009 will bring new successes and the deepening of productive bilateral cooperation in all areas”.
The greetings to the President of the Republic of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, expressed sincere satisfaction with the fact that “even the most difficult questions in Europe can be resolved by collective efforts, governed by the principles of international law and taking into account the legal interests of each other”. Dmitry Medvedev expressed his hope that in 2009 the strategic partnership between Russia and France will continue to develop to the benefit of the peoples of both countries and also to further enhance stability and security in Europe and the world as a whole”.
In his Christmas and New Year greetings to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Russian President expressed his hope for constructive developments in relations between Russia and Great Britain, to the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
In his greetings to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Gordon Brown, he noted that “in the past year our countries saw progress in cooperation in several areas”. Dmitry Medvedev also expressed his hope that in 2009 “the Russo-British dialog on a broad range of bilateral and international matters, would continue in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Europe, and globally”.
Congratulating the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Koehler, the head of the Russian state said he greatly valued the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust which had developed in Russo-German relationships and also expressed his certainty that “in the coming year Russia and Germany would continue to work effectively together on bilateral issues and towards the resolution of global problems”.
Addressing the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the President of Russia noted that the past year saw new successes and further positive developments in cooperation. Dmitry Medvedev also expressed his appreciation not just for the stable and steady development of Russo German relations, as well as for the good personal relations and solid working dialogue established with the Federal Chancellor.
In his message to the President of India, Pratibha Patil, he noted that the relationship between Russia and India “is historically open and friendly” and that in 2008 Russia and India did a great deal to strengthen the mutual understanding that exists between the two countries, and that all the bilateral ties were enriched. The proof of this is, according to the Russian head of state, the recent summit held in New Delhi. Dmitry Medvedev also said that “2009 — the year of India and Russia – will be no less fruitful”, and invited the President of the Republic of India to the opening of that year.
In his message to the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, the Russian head of state said that 2008 was “a year of the continuing development and improvement of the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and India.”
Dmitry Medvedev characterised the December summit in New Delhi as an event which demonstrates “the mutual desire from now on to strengthen the friendship between Russia and India, to deepen the bilateral cooperation and coordination in international affairs.” The President of Russia singled out the cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and other new challenges and threats, and also expressed his conviction that the coming year, the year of India and Russia, will give a new impulse to the bilateral links that will bring the interests of the peoples of the two countries together.
In his greetings to the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, the Russian head of state underlined the fact that “in the past year Russo-Italian partnership developed at a good pace, the countries’ business and humanitarian connections improved, and cooperation on international affairs became closer.” One event that was of particular significance in the development of bilateral ties, according to the President of Russia, was the state visit of Giorgio Napolitano to Russia in July 2008. In his congratulatory greeting the Russian head of state also said he was sure that “in 2009 the countries will continue their cooperative work to broaden their cooperation in the interests of the people of both Russia and Italy.”
In his message to the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, the President of Russia noted the unprecedentedly high level of cooperation between Russia and Italy, something that is corroborated by the dynamic development of bilateral dialogue in politics, as well as in other areas, and added that he particularly valued the positive personal relationship with Silvio Berlusconi for its “constructive and pragmatic approach which allowed the more effective search for adequate answers to the difficult challenges of our modern age”, and also expressed hope that “the friendly relationship would continue into the new year, particularly where it concerns moving our agreements forward.”
In the greetings sent to Emperor Akihito of Japan, the President of Russia noted in particular that “2008 was a year that saw the 150th anniversary of the opening of the diplomatic mission between Russia and Japan, was a full and productive one for our bilateral relations”. The message underlined the fact that “our collaborative efforts ensured the long term development of a real partnership between our two countries.” The Russian head of state also said that 2009 would, in his opinion, see the opening up of new and productive avenues of cooperation in the political, trade, economic and cultural spheres”.
In his greetings to the Japanese Prime Minister, Taro Aso, he especially noted the fact that “thanks to collective efforts in 2008 we were able to give an additional positive sense to the dynamics of the Russo-Japanese relationship, with the strengthening of the relationship in the international arena which meant that there was a real streamlining of the relationship between the two partner states.”
In his message to the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Dmitry Medvedev said he was certain that “the year that is coming to a close saw important steps taken for the future development of relations between our countries, as allies with a long history of good neighbourliness. This is a noticed in the intensive dialogue on all levels. Contact such as this is there for all to see in productive meetings such as that which we held here, thanks to your hospitable initiative, on Kazakh soil, recently, which allowed us not merely to assess the year, but also to bring in new plans for the future.”
The head of the Russian state said he was sure that “the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan would develop to the benefit of the peoples of our two countries, furthering the causes of peace and progress. This reciprocal tone that characterises our cooperation and the close coordination of our mutual efforts means we are in a position to look to our future with confidence, and is also the guarantee of our success in the face of global challenges and threats.”
In his message to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, it was noted that “in the past year our collaborative efforts have succeeded in developing our long term collaboration as allies and partners, to the benefit of the peoples of our countries, and in has furthered the cause of stability and security in Central Asia. I remember our meetings in Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan with warmth. I am certain that the agreements which followed will further Russian-Kazakh strategic partnership and noticeably improve it. I am ready to continue our active and productive political dialogue. Your visit to Moscow in January 2009 will be a good opportunity for a further exchange of opinions between us.”
In his message to the head of the Chinese People’s Republic, Hu Jintao, the Russian head of state noted with pleasure, that “the Russo-Chinese strategic partnership encompasses all areas of cooperation and represents a clear example of a new kind of relationship, based on our mutual long term interest in national development.” The Russian President took a moment to emphasise the fact that the new year will see Russia and China joining forces in a sizeable cultural project – the Year of Russian language in China, which, as Dmitry Medvedev said, he hoped would open up new opportunities for a future strengthening of the friendship and cooperation between these two states.
The head of the Russian state also drew attention to the fact that “a serious component of the Russian-Chinese partnership was the close cooperation between them in international affairs, which also helps ensure a positive context for internal development within Russia and China, and which is a significant factor in the development of peace and stability in the world.”
Sending his greetings to the President of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, the head of the Russian State noted that “in the past year we have been able to achieve noticeable results in a whole range of areas of cooperation between Russia and Moldova. I am certain that in 2009 cooperation between Russia and Moldova will continue to develop at an even faster pace, to the benefit of both our countries, and in the interests of bolstering regional stability and security”.
The greetings to the President of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, include the note that “2008 turned a page in the history of South Ossetia. The people of the Republic achieved the independence for which they had waited so long, and were able to build their own sovereign state. The foundations were laid for the long term, productive cooperation between our countries.”
In his greetings to the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmon, the President noted that “the past year confirmed the inviolability of the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, which is built on an equal strategic partnership and alliance. I am certain that our work together to put into practice the agreement that we reached in Dushanbe, 2008, which will serve to further the long term relationship between Russia and Tajikistan.”
In his message to the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, the President of Russia underlined the fact that “in the past year the relationship between Russia and Turkmenistan progressed to a new level of in terms of its significance of and the commitment to the partnership. Thanks to the joint efforts we have achieved significant results in several areas of our partnership.
In 2009 will see new opportunities for the extension of links between Russia and Turkmenistan. We attach particular significance to the preparation for your visit to Russia. I am certain that during these negotiations, it will be possible to reinvigorate the practical side of the agreements we have reached, on the path to strengthening our cooperation further.”
In his message to the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, the head of the Russian state said he hoped that “2009 will be a year which sees trust and mutual understanding between Russia and Ukraine develop, relations between the two countries becoming more constructive both for the good of our populations, and in the interest of regional stability.”
In his greetings to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, he noted that “the past year was particularly important for the relationship between Russia and Uzbekistan, which is built on principles of strategic partnership and alliance.
Intensive dialogue will be an important part of our bilateral relations and I give particular importance to the multilateral preparation for our negotiations that are due to be held in Tashkent on the 22–23 January 2009, which should intensify all areas of our cooperation.”
Dmitry Medvedev said he was certain that “in the new year cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan will develop even more dynamically – to the great benefit of our peoples and in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Central Asia.”
Wishing the President of the United States, George Bush, a happy Christmas and 2009, the head of the Russian state took care to underline the fact that “while the past year, 2008, was not an easy one, and was a busy one in terms of international events, it was the political and economic difficulties which served to underline the strategic significance of the partnership between our two states in the ensuring of security and stability in the world, and in the resolution of today’s international problems.” Dmitry Medvedev also noted that “we value the fact that in recent years the relationship between our two countries has been to a large extent positive. I see our task as hinging on the need to move the Russo-American relationship forward to a new level, as that is vital to the interests of Russia and of America.”
The President of Russia sent his greetings to the U.S. President-elect Barak Obama. His message particularly noted that “You take on the American presidency at a particularly difficult time. But I am sure that in spite of the scale and complexity of the tasks before us, you are on the path to success. Taking into account the fact that we have been able to build our positive cooperation on the solid foundations of pragmatism and balance of our interests. I am certain that this will be particularly needed as the situation develops. I start from the point of view that we must begin our collaborative efforts in all significant directions, taking into account the situation in the world and the interests of our two countries.