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President Putin congratulated the Russian-American crew of the International Space Station on Cosmonautics Day. He told the cosmonauts that he had just received a call from U.S. President George W. Bush who asked him to convey his congratulations to the crew.

The President asked crew commander Yury Onufrienko and flight engineers Carl Walz and Daniel Bursch for details about the international expeditions and flight conditions.

At the end of the conversation, which lasted about 15 minutes, the President wished the crew successful completion of their flight programme, good health, high spirits and a safe return to Earth.

Following his communication with the ISS, President Putin answered journalists’ questions.

He confirmed that space was one of Russia’s priorities because the country had a fine record in the field, and had something to show and declare for joint work.