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Mr Putin wrote in his greetings to Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev that bilateral relations have risen to the level of a strategic partnership, which benefits both nations and serves to strengthen peace and security in the Caucasus. He also mentioned the importance of events held during the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan.

In his greetings to Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, he wrote that 2006 was noted for the intensive program of the Year of Armenia in Russia. That major cultural project promoted the Russian-Armenian strategic partnership. The two countries have improved their political dialogue and strengthened the foundation of their understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres.

Putin’s greetings to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko noted that closer integration would ensure socio-economic progress and democratic development, and would improve standards of living in the two nations.

In his address to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, President Putin wished the Georgian people peace and prosperity.

Mr Putin wrote in his greetings to Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev that 2006 was a major stage in the development and strengthening of multifaceted bilateral cooperation, constructive political dialogue and intensive interaction in international affairs. He expressed the belief that these consolidated and consistent efforts will bring new achievements in strengthening allied ties and strategic partnership for the benefit of the people of Russia and Kazakhstan in the interests of progress and stability in Eurasia.

Vladimir Putin wrote to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, President of Kyrgyzstan, that the joint efforts of the two countries ensured a consistent development of friendship, allied relations, strategic partnership, and mutually beneficial integration between the two countries. The Russian president expressed the belief that the coming year will see the strengthening of multifaceted Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation.

The president’s greetings to Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin confirmed Russia’s desire to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and expressed the hope that the political dialogue that has been enhanced in 2006 will continue in 2007.

In his address to Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov, Putin wrote that bilateral relations have been very intensive and cooperation highly successful in 2006. Putin expressed the belief that relations of confidence between the leaders of the two states will continue to promote the dynamic development of Russo-Tajik relations in the spirit of traditional friendship and good-neighborliness.

Putin’s greetings to Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov noted that 2006 saw considerable progress in the development of multifaceted bilateral relations that rest on a firm foundation of strategic partnership and allied relations. Uzbekistan’s access to EurAsEC and the restoration of its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization offer additional opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties and interaction in regional and international affairs.

Vladimir Putin wrote to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko that Russian-Ukrainian relations have a great potential and are becoming more businesslike and pragmatic. He expressed the belief that the development of multifaceted bilateral cooperation meets the true interests of the Russian and Ukrainian nations.

In his greetings to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Russian leader expressed the hope that multifaceted Russian-British relations, tested by time, will continue to develop in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation in 2007.

Mr Putin wrote to British Prime Minister Tony Blair that bilateral relations have been noteworthy for their stable dynamics, and he expressed the belief that multifaceted relations between two nations will continue to develop in 2007 for the benefit of both countries, and that their interaction on the international scene will grow stronger in the name of global security and stability.

In his address to German President Horst Koehler, Putin wrote that much has been done in 2006 to strengthen the fruitful cooperation between Russia and Germany, two countries that are kept together by relations of strategic partnership and a common approach to crucial international events.

Vladimir Putin wrote to German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel that Russian-German relations of strategic partnership and the friendly and confident relations between the leaders of the two states have been developing consistently. He expressed the hope that 2007, when Germany will hold the rotating presidency of the G8 and the European Union, will see new initiatives and projects aimed at ensuring the prosperity of the two countries, and that multifaceted bilateral cooperation will grow dynamically, facilitating the solution of pressing problems on the European and global agendas.

In his address to Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Putin wrote that a bilateral strategic partnership has been developing successfully in 2006, and expresses the hope that new heights will be attained in political, trade, economic, research, technological and cultural cooperation during the forthcoming visit of the Russian President to New Delhi in January 2007.

Vladimir Putin wrote in his greetings to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that their countries’ efforts have strengthened their strategic partnership, and expressed the hope that the talks in New Delhi scheduled for January 2007 will spur progress in bilateral relations and outline new large-scale goals for the future.

Putin’s greetings to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano expressed the belief that the continued strengthening of partner relations between Russia and Italy both bilaterally and internationally will promote security, stability and mutual understanding in Europe and the rest of the world.

Mr Putin wrote in his greetings to Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi that cooperation with Italy, which is truly in the spirit of partnership, is rapidly developing and is being complemented with promising new initiatives in the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The Russian president expressed the hope for continued close interaction in implementing challenging plans of bilateral cooperation and in addressing problems facing the international community.

When greeting Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean, Putin expressed the belief that multifaceted Russian-Canadian cooperation will continue to develop in 2007 for the benefit of the two nations and in the interests of international security and stability.

In his address to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Russian President expressed the hope for the continuation of fruitful cooperation next year, and the belief that Russian-Canadian relations can rise to a higher level of interaction in international affairs.

Mr Putin wrote to Chinese President Hu Jintao that Russia and China have attained impressive results in promoting mutually beneficial political, economic and cultural cooperation in 2006, and have considerably expanded their interaction in global affairs. The sides have celebrated the 10th anniversary of a policy of equality, confident partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as five years of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. The Year of Russia in China has had a beneficial effect on the development of bilateral relations, and the Year of China in Russia (2007) will give Russians a chance to learn more about the thousand-year history of China and the culture and traditions of the friendly Chinese people, and will promote bilateral relations and give a powerful impetus to more extensive use of the two countries’ potential for strategic partnership.

Vladimir Putin wrote in his greetings to U.S. President George W. Bush that in 2006 the two countries have joined forces to attain success in several spheres of bilateral relations, including in completing bilateral talks on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. The Russian president expressed the hope that next year, when the two countries will mark the 200th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, will see more dynamic efforts to broaden the avenues of cooperation.

Mr Putin’s greetings to the French President focus on the personal contribution of Jacques Chirac to the development of bilateral relations in many spheres, to peace and stability, and to establishing a balanced and stable world order in the spirit of justice and mutual respect.

The Russian head of state has sent warm season’s greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan Akihito, and wished prosperity and happiness to the Japanese people.

In his greetings to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Russian President wrote that 2006 saw the consistent development of bilateral relations in all spheres. The Russo-Japanese Action Plan adopted in 2003 has created a firm foundation for joint progress towards a mutually beneficial, constructive partnership. Vladimir Putin expressed the belief that Russia and Japan will attain new goals on this path in 2007.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent season’s greetings to other heads of state and government.