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In his message to President of the Republic of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, Vladimir Putin stressed that a highlight of the outgoing year was the successful development of friendly, good neighbourly relations between Russia and Abkhazia, which was promoted in part by successful meetings in Novo-Ogaryovo, Sochi and Pitsunda. He also expressed hope that in 2014 the two countries will continue to expand bilateral ties.

Congratulating President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan, Mr Putin stressed that Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and later to take part in the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union opens up qualitatively new opportunities for furthering cooperation between Russia and Armenia in all spheres. He also expressed confidence that in the coming year the two countries will continue to work closely on the bilateral agenda and partnership within various integration structures.

In his congratulation to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of Russia expressed confidence that in 2014 friendly relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, their constructive cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology, culture and other spheres will continue to develop to the benefit of the two nations, in the interests of stronger stability and security in the Caucasus region.

In the congratulatory message to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin noted that the outgoing year was successful for relations between the two countries. The message reads in part that coordinated joint efforts contributed to effective collaboration within the framework of the Union State, the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space; work to create the Eurasian Economic Union continued as planned; events linked to Belarus’ chairmanship in the CIS were fruitful.

The message of congratulations to President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff notes the successful development of relations between the two countries in all key areas. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that in 2014 Russia and Brazil would enhance all intergovernmental ties in the spirit of strategic partnership, which fully meets the interests of the peoples of both nations and is in line with the goal of upholding international stability and security.

Congratulating Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and Governor General of Canada David Lloyd Johnston, the President of Russia noted that in 2013 Russia and Canada have been cooperating successfully both in bilateral areas and in resolving pressing regional and global issues, with Russia’s G20 presidency and Canada’s Arctic Council presidency significantly contributing to this cooperation. Besides, Mr Putin stressed that he would be happy to welcome Mr Johnston at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

In his message to Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on the New Year and the upcoming Spring Festival, Vladimir Putin stressed that the March visit by the Chinese leader to Russia gave a strong impetus to enhancing partnership and mutually advantageous bilateral cooperation in all areas, and also promoted coordinated efforts of Moscow and Beijing in international affairs. The Russian leader expressed confidence that the new joint project – the reciprocal years of Friendly Youth Exchanges – will help further strengthen trust and mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and China.

Addressing President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro on National Liberation Day and the coming New Year, President Putin noted the implementation of promising projects in the financial, economic, energy, scientific, technological, cultural and humanitarian spheres and expressed interest in the further expansion of constructive partnership through mutual efforts.

In wishing President of France Francois Hollande a Happy New Year, Vladimir Putin noted that the past year was successful for Russian-French relations – important bilateral agreements were reached during his visit to Moscow in February – and stressed that he counts on continuing the constructive dialogue and actively working together to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

Earlier the Russian President also extended holiday greetings to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in his message of congratulation following Ms Merkel’s re-election to the post of Federal Chancellor of Germany.

Addressing Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Vladimir Putin noted that in the outgoing year relations between Russia and India developed at a rapid pace; major joint projects were implemented in military technology, trade and economy, energy, culture and other areas. The President of Russia expressed confidence that in 2014 the Russian-Indian privileged strategic partnership based on age-long traditions of friendship and mutual respect will be enhanced and filled with new meaning.

In messages of greeting addressed to Prime Minister of Italy Enrico Letta and President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, President Putin specifically stressed that 2013 is marked by significant success in the development of relations between the two countries: summits in Rome, the G8 Summit in Lough Erne and the G20 Summit in St Petersburg, as well as intergovernmental consultations in Trieste served to enhance the dynamics of bilateral cooperation in various areas as well as efficient coordination of efforts in European and global affairs. Also, Mr Putin expressed confidence that the reciprocal Years of Tourism scheduled for 2014 would promote closer relations between the peoples of the two countries.

In congratulating Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Putin stresses the dynamic development of relations between Russia and Israel in 2013 and the significance of the summit meetings held in Russia that confirmed mutual interest in close cooperation on the issues of bilateral agenda as well as on numerous regional and international issues. Russia’s President noted that in the coming year, he expects to continue the joint efforts to expand all inter-state ties for the benefit of the friendly peoples of the two nations and in the interests of stability and security in the Middle East.

The President of Russia wished Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe a Happy New Year, noting the significant successes achieved in 2013 in developing Russian-Japanese relations. Vladimir Putin stressed that Mr Abe’s visit to Moscow in April gave a strong impetus to the two nations’ cooperation in key areas, and expressed hope of further continuing communication and active joint work on current problems in the Asia-Pacific region.

Congratulating President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Vladimir Putin stresses that active joint work in 2013 contributed to the fruitful development of relations between the two countries in various areas. It also expedited integration within the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space and the work to create the Eurasian Economic Union. The Russian leader has no doubt that in the coming year work will continue to strengthen the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan and expand constructive cooperation in resolving pressing issues of regional and global nature.

In his holiday greetings to President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, Mr Putin stressed that the summit meetings held in Bishkek and Sochi in 2013 helped expand productive cooperation between the two countries in key areas, including various multilateral events in Eurasia. He also expressed confidence that in the coming year ties between Russia and Kyrgyzstan will continue to develop in the spirit of alliance and partnership.

In wishing President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti a Happy New Year 2014 and a Merry Christmas, the President of Russia expressed confidence that Russian-Moldovan relations would develop actively next year, for the good of the two nations’ friendly peoples, in the interest of strengthening regional stability and security.

Addressing HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Vladimir Putin stressed that the Prince’s first official visit to Russia gave additional momentum to the development of mutual cooperation in various sectors, emphasising that Albert II has always been a welcome guest on Russian soil.

The Russian President wished a Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas to President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic, particularly noting the many productive bilateral meetings that took place in 2013 and the importance of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed between Russia and Serbia.

In his message to President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, Vladimir Putin noted that relations between Russia and South Africa have reached a qualitatively new level, which was formalised in the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The President of Russia stressed that South Africa’s effective chairmanship of BRICS had great significance and expressed confidence that in 2014, the two nations will continue their joint work to increase mutually beneficial interstate ties on both a bilateral basis and within other formats, including the UN, G20, BRICS and other important international organisations.

Addressing President of South Korea Park Geun-hye, Vladimir Putin noted the importance of the joint work carried out in 2013 to develop the entire range of relations between Russia and the Republic of Korea. The Russian leader also expressed confidence that consistent implementation of the agreements reached at the summit meetings in St Petersburg and Seoul would significantly expand mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and South Korea in various fields. This also meets the interests of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia as a whole.

The President of the Russian Federation also wished a happy holiday to the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, stressing that in the past year, they were able to resolve several important issues on the bilateral agenda.

Mr Putin also extended Christmas and New Year greetings to King Juan Carlos I of Spain, expressing hope that in 2014 mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Spain would become stronger and deeper.

In his message of congratulations to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President Putin noted the friendly, constructive nature of Russian-Tajikistani relations, the high level of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, as well as their partner-based cooperation within the CIS, CSTO and other international organisations.

The President of Russia sent Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul messages wishing them a Happy New Year, stressing that Russian-Turkish relations are developing positively, political dialogue is broadening, and mutually beneficial contacts are being activated. The Russian leader particularly noted the good results of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council meeting held in St Petersburg.

Wishing President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a Happy New Year, Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the constructive cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan based on solid traditions of friendship, good neighbourly relations and mutual respect, will continue to develop in all key areas.

In his congratulatory message to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, President Putin particularly noted their friendly, business-like relations, which allow them to openly discuss any issues – even the most complicated ones – and work together to seek ways to further develop partnership ties between the two nations, for the good of their brotherly peoples. Moreover, Vladimir Putin expressed hope that in the coming year, the two nations will be able to achieve new results in their joint work to increase mutually beneficial Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in key areas.

Extending his holiday greetings to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron, the Russian President noted the successful bilateral meetings in Sochi, London and St Petersburg this year and expressed confidence that the Russian-British reciprocal Years of Culture in 2014 will serve the interests of greater trust and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. Addressing HM Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vladimir Putin expressed hope that relations between Russia and Great Britain will continue to develop dynamically for the benefit of both nations and in the interests of safeguarding international stability and security.

In his message to President of the United States of America Barack Obama, the President of Russia emphasised that the events of the past year clearly demonstrated how, acting in the spirit of partnership and on the basis of respecting one another, Russia and the United States are capable of making a real input into supporting global stability, resolving some of the most difficult international problems. Vladimir Putin also confirmed his desireto maintain a constructive dialogue and continue joint work to strengthen trust and mutual understanding in Russian-US relations, to broaden cooperation in the economic, science and technology, cultural, and other areas.

The President of Russia wished President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov a Happy New Year, placing particular significance on their April meeting in Moscow, which outlined new stages for the two nations’ strategic partnership. The President of Russia also expressed confidence that in 2014, Russia and Uzbekistan will cooperate just as efficiently, both in the bilateral format and within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States and other international organisations.

In a message to President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, Mr Putin stressed that 2013 was overshadowed by the untimely demise of a great friend of Russia – Hugo Chavez, but given that his devoted associate Nicolas Maduro continued to carry on his cause, Russia and Venezuela have reached important bilateral agreements and have acted jointly on the international arena with great success. The Russian leader also expressed hope that in 2014 joint efforts for the benefit of the peoples of Russia and Venezuela with be just as fruitful.

In addition, the President of the Russian Federation wished a Happy New Year 2014 to heads of international organisations, particularly the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, current International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Chairman of the Coordination Commission for Sochi 2014 Jean-Claude Killy, whom he thanked for their assistance in preparing the XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, wishing them success in their noble mission of promoting the Olympic movement and sports throughout the world. The President of Russia also sent a congratulatory message to President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Rene Fasel, President of the International Judo Federation Marius Wieser, and President of the International Federation of Association Football Joseph Blatter, in addressing whom he expressed hope to continue collaborating productively to prepare for the World Cup in Russia.

Also, the Russian President wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to former foreign heads of state and government, including Silvio Berlusconi, George Bush, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon, Gerhard Schroeder and others.