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In his holiday greetings to President of the Republic of Abkhazia Raul Khadzhimba, Vladimir Putin noted that over the past year, Russian-Abkhazian ties have strengthened in all areas and stressed the importance of the recent Agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership. The President of Russia expressed confidence that productive cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand in the future, which fully serves the interests of the neighbourly nations of Russia and Abkhazia and complies with the dedication to stability and security in the Caucasus.

The President of the Russian Federation also sent Christmas and New Year greetings to President of the Argentine Republic Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. The President recalled the successful talks in July 2014, which were held in a constructive and trust-based atmosphere and expressed his strong confidence that the collective efforts of the countries will ensure continued expansion of bilateral ties in all areas as well as partnership within various international institutions.

In his holiday greetings to President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Vladimir Putin stressed that the departing year has been very productive for Russian-Armenian relations. He noted the particular significance of the signed Treaty on Armenia’s Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, which will give a strong impetus to collaboration between the two countries in various fields. The Russian President expressed his belief that, based on the achieved results, in 2015 Russia and Armenia will further extend their collaborative efforts to strengthen their bilateral partnership and promote Eurasian integration for the benefit of their nations and to ensure stability and security in the region.

Addressing Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Werner Faymann, Vladimir Putin expressed his hope that the two countries, relying on their long mutual history and positive traditions, will continue to develop mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all respects.

In his message to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Vladimir Putin was pleased to note the significant progress in Russian-Azerbaijani collaboration and stressed that in 2015, the partnership between the states, as he believes, will be further improved for the benefit of the two nations and in the interests of security and stability in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.

In a message to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Russia noted that in the outgoing year active joint efforts have brought tangible results, and cooperation within the Union State has yielded positive returns. This made it possible to launch the Eurasian Economic Union as of January 1, 2015. Vladimir Putin also expressed hope that the friendly relations between Russia and Belarus will continue to develop dynamically both on the bilateral basis and in multilateral integration formats.

The message of greetings to President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Dilma Rousseff notes that the outgoing year has been highly eventful and fruitful for the Russian-Brazilian strategic partnership. Brazil’s effective chairmanship of BRICS was very important in this respect. The meetings that took place this year were marked by an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that in 2015 the two countries will continue active efforts to further expand bilateral ties and constructive interaction in the framework of various international structures.

The Russian President has also sent greetings to the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper wishing the Canadian head of government and all Canadian people happiness and prosperity.

In a message of greetings to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinpingon the occasion of the New Year and the approaching Spring Festival, Vladimir Putin noted that the outgoing year has seen the dynamic development of the entire range of Russian-Chinese relations. He stressed that the visit of the Chinese President to Sochi to attend the opening of the Winter Olympic Games, the talks in Shanghai and their meetings at international events, including in Beijing, contributed to the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. The Russian leader also expressed his confidence that 2015 will open up new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial ties between the Russian Federation and the PRC in various areas and reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue productive joint work to implement strategic bilateral projects and solve pressing issues on the regional and global agendas.

The Russian President sent greetings to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castroon the occasion of the Republic’s national holiday, Liberation Day, as well as Christmas and the New Year. Vladimir Putin noted that relations between Russia and Cuba, based on a long tradition of friendship, solidarity and mutual assistance, are on the rise as highlighted by the talks in Havana in June. The Russian head of state expressed confidence that through joint efforts the two countries will ensure the further development of productive bilateral ties and partnership in international affairs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year greetings to President Sauli Niinisto of the Republic of Finland: “Good-neighbourly Russian-Finnish relations rest on solid traditions and have considerable positive potential. I am counting on productive joint efforts on issues on the bilateral and international agenda.”

Mr Putin also wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to President Francois Hollande of the French Republic. He stressed that bilateral relations between the two nations have a rich history and expressed the hope that, by relying on positive long-time traditions and utilising the accumulated experience of mutually beneficial cooperation, Russia and France will further the entire range of partnership ties. This meets the interests of the Russian and French nations and is consonant with ensuring peace, security and stability in Europe and all over the world.

The Russian head of state has sent Christmas and New Year greetings to Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel. He expressed hope that the coming year will see continued constructive dialogue and active joint efforts to strengthen the partnership between Russia and Germany and solve topical issues on the international agenda.

Addressing Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor OrbanVladimir Putin said that he hopes to preserve and expand the potential of Russian-Hungarian relations, which meets the core interests of the peoples of both countries and contributes to stability and security in Europe.

In messages of greetings to President of the Republic of India Pranab Mukherjeeand Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi the Russian President stressed that the outgoing year has been very successful for relations between Russian and India. Much of the credit for this goes to the recent talks in New Delhi, which resulted in plans for promoting the privileged Russian-Indian strategic partnership. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that in 2015, building on recent agreements, the two countries will successfully implement a whole range of major joint projects in the fields of nuclear energy, military technology cooperation, and modern technologies, as well effectively coordinate their efforts in solving topical issues on the regional and international agendas.

In a message to Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Vladimir Putin noted that in the outgoing year the relations between Russia and Israel have developed positively, constructive political dialogue has been maintained and mutually beneficial projects in various areas were implemented. The Russian President expressed hope that in 2015 the two countries will continue to work closely together on the bilateral and international agenda in order to ensure stability and security in the Middle East.

In his greetings to President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Matteo Renzi, Vladimir Putin noted that the outgoing year has demonstrated the enduring value of the Russian-Italian relations, their constructive character and importance regardless of the international situation. The message stresses that these relations are based on solid ties in the economy, culture and science, and, most importantly, on the mutual sympathy and respect between the two peoples. The President expressed satisfaction with the Milan and Brisbane meetings with the Italian leadership and expressed hope that intensive joint efforts will continue to promote bilateral cooperation and solve pressing global problems in 2015.

President Putin also wished a Happy New Year to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The President noted that Russia and Japan have substantial experience in mutually beneficial cooperation, and that the two countries have many coinciding interests in the Asia Pacific region and worldwide. Mr Putin stressed that this objectively ensures the development of constructive bilateral ties in various areas and expressed readiness to continue personal contacts with Mr Abe and their joint efforts.

Addressing President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev,the Russian President stressed that in the outgoing year relations between Russia and Kazakhstan actively developed in the spirit of alliance and neighbourliness, and that thanks to the joint efforts of the two countries integration processes in the post-Soviet space have been elevated to a qualitatively new level: the Eurasian Economic Union has acquired a practical character and is starting its work as of January 1, 2015. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the two countries will continue their constructive dialogue and partnership in addressing pressing issues on the bilateral and international agenda, which fully meets the interests of the fraternal peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan.

In a message of greetings to President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hyeon the occasion of the New Year and the Lunar New Year, Vladimir Putin noted with satisfaction the friendly and constructive character of Russian-South Korean relations and stressed that the partnership between the two countries played an important role in ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in North-East Asia. The Russian President expressed hope that in the coming year new successes will be achieved in developing mutually beneficial cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea in various areas.

In his greetings to President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev,Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to work together to strengthen their relations of strategic partnership and alliance, and increase constructive cooperation, including within the framework of the Eurasian integration process.

In New Year and Christmas greetings to President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti,the Russian President expressed hope that in the coming year the Russian-Moldovan relations will develop constructively for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and in the interests of strengthening regional stability and security.

In an message to PrinceAlbert IIof Monaco, Vladimir Putin thanked him for his warm attitude to Russia and his personal contribution to cooperation between the two countries, and expressed confidence that the Year of Russia in Monaco in 2015 will further expand mutually beneficial bilateral ties in various areas.

Addressing President Jacob Zuma of theRepublic of South Africa, Mr Putin noted that Russia and the Republic of South Africa strengthened their strategic partnership relations considerably throughout 2014. The bilateral talks of national leaders in Fortaleza and Moscow played a major role in this respect and gave substantial impetus to developing bilateral cooperation in many areas and to expanding cooperation within various international organisations. The President stressed that, after assuming BRICS presidency, Russia intends to further the global role of this association.

In his message of congratulations to President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, the President of Russia underscored the importance of 2014 for the assertion of the Republic of South Ossetia as a democratic rule-of-law state and for strengthening friendly and allied bilateral relations. Mr Putin expressed confidence that in 2015 the two countries will continue their close and productive work to expand the entire system of bilateral cooperation.

The Russian President sent New Year and Christmas greetings to President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic. He noted that the outgoing year was successful for Russian-Serbian relations as witnessed by the October talks in Belgrade. Thanking the President of Serbia for the cordial reception, Vladimir Putin expressed hope that constructive joint efforts to strengthen the entire range of bilateral ties will continue.

The President of the Russian Federation has also sent Christmas and New Year greetings to King Felipe VIof Spain expressing hope that in the coming year relations between Russia and Spain, which are based on centuries-old traditions of friendship and mutual respect, will develop further in various areas.

In his message to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Mr Putin noted with satisfaction the continued strengthening of traditionally friendly Russian-Tajikistani relations. The Russian President particularly emphasised a number of important bilateral agreements that have been implemented by the two countries in defence cooperation and migration policy. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and other international organisations, and expressed hope that in the coming year the strategic partnership between Russia and Tajikistan will grow even further.

In his congratulations to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr Putin noted with satisfaction that in the outgoing year, cooperation between the two countries had grown. In this regard, the successful meeting of the High Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council in Ankara was particularly important. The Russian President expressed confidence that based on the agreements that have been reached, the two countries will work even more actively to expand mutually beneficial bilateral relations, implement large-scale joint projects in various fields, and effectively coordinate their efforts in the international arena.

In his message to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Mr Putin emphasised that in the outgoing year, Russia and Turkmenistan successfully expanded their relations in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding, maintaining a constructive political dialogue and building mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Mr Putin expressed confidence that the two countries will work together to further expand the entire range of cooperative ties for the benefit of their people and to help strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.

In his Christmas and New Year greetings to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameronand Queen Elizabeth IIof the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian head of state expressed his hope for the positive development of Russian-British relations in the coming year. Vladimir Putin stressed that the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various areas and constructive interaction in solving pressing international issues meets the interests of the two nations and will contribute to ensuring peace and security in Europe and throughout the world.

In his message to President of the United States Barack Obama, Mr Putin stressed that in the coming year the two countries will celebrate the 70th anniversary of victory in World War II, which they brought about by fighting alongside their allies in the anti-Nazi coalition. The Russian President noted that this historic date should be a reminder of the shared responsibility that Russia and the United States have to maintain international peace and stability, and of their special role in countering global challenges and threats. Mr Putin also stressed that Russia and the United States can build a successful partnership based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.

Mr Putin congratulated President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on the coming New Year, noting in his message that the recent talks between the two presidents in Tashkent had special significance in helping to identify new cooperation opportunities in various fields. The Russian President thanked Mr Karimov for the warm welcome and stressed his readiness to enhance the strategic partnership and allied relations between Russia and Uzbekistan for the benefit of both nations and to guarantee security and stability in Central Asia.

The Russian head of state also congratulated His Holiness Pope Francison Christmas and the New Year. The Russian President expressed hope that constructive interaction between the countries will develop fruitfully on the basis of the high Christian values and the ideals of justice and humanity that Russia and the Vatican share.

In his greetings to President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro,the Russian President stressed that in the outgoing year the strategic partnership between Russia and Venezuela has grown stronger, with the productive meetings between the heads of state in Brasilia making an important contribution in this respect. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the implementation of the agreements that were reached will contribute to further strengthening the entire range of ties between Russia and Venezuela and ensure effective coordination of the two countries’ actions in the world arena.

The President of the Russian Federation also wished a Happy New Year to the heads of several international organisations, includingJacques Rogge, the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee; Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee, and Jean-Claude Killy, Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Mr Putin thanked them for their tremendous assistance in organising the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and also wished them every success in the noble cause of promoting the Olympic movement and sport all over the world. The President also sent congratulations to Rene Fasel, the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and Marius Vizer, the President of the International Judo Federation. In his message to Joseph Blatter, the President of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA), Mr Putin stressed that Russia will do everything possible to ensure quality preparations for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In addition, President Putin wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to several former heads of state and government, including Silvio Berlusconi, Fidel Castro, George Bush, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon and Gerhard Schroeder.