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In his message to President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh, Dmitry Medvedev noted that 2010 marked the continuation of consistent joint work to form a bilateral legal framework and strengthen cooperation mechanisms between various agencies. “Today, Abkhazia is confidently following the path of developing its state sovereignty and democracy, broadening international contacts, and making a significant input into stabilising the situation in the Transcaucasian region,” the message reads.

In a congratulatory message to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the President of Russia emphasised, that “for our nations, which are bound by a close-knit alliance and strategic partnership, the past year marked an important phase in the gradual development of multifaceted cooperation, founded on mutual support on issues concerning both states’ vital interests.”

In a message to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev,the President of Russia stressed that the past year will be inscribed in the history of Russian-Azerbaijani relations as an important milestone in developing multifaceted cooperation in all areas. Dmitry Medvedev gave a high assessment to the results of the third Caspian Summit, held in Baku: “A very important step was taken on the path to strengthening the format for meetings between the leaders of the five Caspian states. This is a truly unique platform for resolving current issues of legal status, security, and environmentally-based economic activities on the Caspian Sea and nearby areas.”

In a message to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Dmitry Medvedev particularly noted that the two countries are united by historic traditions of friendship and good-neighbourly relations, and that “our duty is to treat this common patrimony with care, doing everything to strengthen and enrich mutually beneficial bilateral ties. I expect that in the coming year, Russian-Belarusian cooperation will develop dynamically for the good of our nations’ citizens and in the interests of reinforcing the democratic foundations of our statehood. Successful performance of the Customs Union and the formation of a Common Economic Space are invoked to increase the efficacy of integrative cooperation, giving momentum to our countries’ consistent progress within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.”

In his messages wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Governor General of Canada David Johnston and Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, the President of Russia expressed his high assessment of Canada’s presidency of the G8 and G20, during which methods for overcoming the global financial crisis and ensuring economic stability were identified. Mr Medvedev expressed certainty that in the upcoming year, Russian-Canadian relations would be strengthened, benefiting both nations and their peoples, in the interest of stability and security throughout the world.

In a message wishing President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao a Happy New Year, Mr Medvedev emphasised the importance of the high intensity and trust-based nature of Russian-Chinese cooperation. “The past year was marked by important achievements in all key areas” of bilateral relations.

Mr Medvedev expressed certainty that joint, fruitful efforts would continue in 2011, a year that will mark the tenth anniversary of the Good-Neighbourly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China, which serves as “a strong foundation for the long-term development of ties between our nations.”

In his message to President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr Medvedev emphasised his readiness to deepen productive cooperation between Russia and France in the bilateral format and on the international arena, including during France’s presidency of the G8 and G20. The President of Russia expressed confidence that through joint efforts, the impressive level of momentum in the Russian-French partnership, which had been reached in the implementation of the nations’ unique project – the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia – will be reinforced.

A congratulatory message to President of the Federal Republic of Germany Christian Wulff reads that “in 2010 much was done to expand cooperation between our countries, including through dialogue at the highest level.” Dmitry Medvedev is confident that “in the upcoming year, we will also be successful in implementing the rich potential of cooperation for the good of the peoples of Russia and Germany, in the interest of stability and security on our continent.”

In a message to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, the President of Russia emphasised that “in the past year, Russian-German relations, which are based on the principles of mutually beneficial strategic partnership, continued to develop dynamically for the benefit of the peoples of our states. I am certain that a key role in this process is traditionally played by our intensive and trust-based dialogue. In this regard, we had major milestones in the form of joint events celebrating symbolic anniversaries in our common history: the 65^th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism and the 20^th anniversary of the reunification of Germany.” Mr Medvedev particularly emphasised the “constructive nature of the coordination of our foreign policies. I believe we can make particular note of the significant input into strengthening stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region, which was made following the trilateral meeting in Deauville on October 18–19, 2010.”

In a message to President of India Pratibha Patil, the President of Russia gave a high assessment of the sincere and trust-based nature of the relations between Russia and India, whose peoples have a long-standing mutual affinity, a vivid interest in one another’s exceptionally rich cultural heritage, and aspirations toward fruitful multilateral cooperation. In particular, Mr Medvedev emphasised that he is “counting that the joint work to implement bilateral agreements will further enrich our friendly ties, which are a significant factor of stability and security in Asia and throughout the world.”

Addressing Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, the President of Russia particularly noted the advancement of the strategic partnership between Russia and India to a qualitatively new level of privileged relations which was evidenced by substantial and productive talks during Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to India, a sign of the enormous value of the time-tested Russian-Indian friendship. The message states that “in the present situation of shaping a new system of international relations, joint efforts of Russia and India resulted in the establishment of a solid legal foundation and effective mechanisms for further broadening and deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.”

In his message to President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano, Mr Medvedev emphasised that in the past year, Russian-Italian relations of partnership continued to develop in all areas, and that bilateral political dialogue remained intensive and substantial. “The upcoming year will be the Year of Russian Language and Culture in Italy and the Year of Italian Language and Culture in Russia. I expect that the major events we have planned will provide us with the opportunity to continue trust-based communication and joint work aimed at further strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and Italy.”

Wishing a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Silvio Berlusconi,the President of Russia specifically noted that “the recent interstate consultations at the highest level were most successful. In Sochi, we touched base on practically all the most relevant current issues on our common agenda and outlined new objectives and goals that should take our partnership to a qualitatively new level.” Mr Medvedev emphasised that Russia and Italy are cooperating actively on the global arena. The Italian side grants constant friendly support in dialogue with major regional associations such as the EU and NATO. In Dmitry Medvedev's opinion, Russia and Italy are also effectively cooperating within major international forums, particularly the G8 and G20.

Congratulating Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan, Mr Medvedev noted that bilateral cooperation had been further developed in 2010.“I hope that in 2011 we will be able to work together to dynamically expand Russian-Japanese relations through broad and mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation, the promotion of scientific and technological cooperation, and joint efforts to settle current international problems. I believe that this serves the interests of our peoples and is an important factor in achieving stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region,” the message reads.

In his congratulatory message to HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan, the President of Russia wished His Majesty good health and well-being, and wished the people of Japan peace and prosperity.

In a New Year’s message to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Mr Medvedev emphasised that allied relations between Russia and Kazakhstan were strengthened significantly in 2010 in all areas with no exceptions, as evidenced by the high intensity of political dialogue, consistent implementation of major projects in key areas of economic cooperation, and the broadening of fruitful interregional and humanitarian ties. Dmitry Medvedev particularly stressed the steps taken to ensure the effective functioning of the Customs Union, the formation of the Common Economic Space, and the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Dmitry Medvedev sent New Year’s wishes to President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the Transition Period Roza Otunbayeva. The message notes that in the past year, Kyrgyzstan dealt with many difficult challenges. “During this time, Russia was together with the people of Kyrgyzstan, rendering all possible assistance and support. We are ready to continue jointly broadening and deepening the multidimensional bilateral cooperation that serves both nations’ interests,” the message stressed.

In a message to President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity, Mr Medvedev indicated that the efforts undertaken in 2010 have allowed Russia and South Ossetia to strengthen their relations of friendship and cooperation, and promoted the development of political cooperation and the continued formation of a framework of bilateral agreement. Dmitry Medvedev noted that South Ossetia is moving toward building an independent democratic state. The republic is resolving its socioeconomic problems, implementing serious infrastructure and housing projects, actively broadening international ties, and making a tangible input into strengthening stability and security in the Transcaucasian region. “We are ready to further fully cooperate with the people of South Ossetia,” the President of Russia stated.

In his congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the Russian President noted that “in the past year, Russia and Tajikistan have made serious advances on the path toward an equitable strategic partnership and alliance, based on strong traditions of friendship and mutual respect. Relations between our states are defined by a mutual desire to expand bilateral ties.”

Addressing President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President Medvedev gave a high assessment to the current atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust in Russian-Turkmenistani relations: “During meetings in Turkmenistan and Russia, we confirmed a common desire to further implement major trade, economic, investment and humanitarian projects, and coordinate our policies in regional and international affairs.”

Dmitry Medvedev wished President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, emphasising the significance of consolidating Russian-Ukrainian relations. The President of Russia noted the importance of interstate and intergovernmental agreements signed in 2010, which open new opportunities for making interaction in all areas more effective, as well as the special role of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission in fulfilling this overall high-priority challenge.

In a message wishing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, the President of Russia expressed certainty that in the upcoming year, fruitful cooperation between Russia and the United Kingdom will serve to strengthen relations of trust and mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and the UK.

In his message to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Dmitry Medvedev made note of the successful efforts in the past year to create the prerequisites for building constructive Russian-British dialogue. The President of Russia emphasised that this approach meets long-term interests of both nations and is well-perceived by their citizens. Mr Medvedev expressed certainty that David Cameron’s upcoming visit to Russia in 2011 will be an important step in broadening the positive agenda in the bilateral relations and will give new momentum to developing ties in various sectors, as well as generally promoting the reinforcement of stability and security on the European continent.

In a congratulatory message to President of the United States Barack Obama, Mr Medvedev noted that “in the past year, our joint efforts allowed us to achieve significant results, ensuring positive momentum in Russian-American cooperation.

Our sincere and constructive dialogue promoted the resolution of highly important bilateral and international issues. We have signed the new START Treaty, a major fundamental agreement for global security. We have also initiated large-scale cooperation involving high technology and innovations. In addition, we have launched promising projects in various fields within the framework of the Presidential Commission.

I hope that in the coming year, we will continue intensive dialogue and progress consistently toward a pragmatic, long-term partnership between our nations.”

In his message to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Mr Medvedev noted that in 2010 relations between Russia and Uzbekistan were marked by active contacts and productive cooperation. Bilateral dialogue was supported by concrete actions aimed at the steady development of strategic partnership. Dmitry Medvedev expressed certainty that the high level of momentum in the two nations’ multifaceted cooperation would be maintained in the upcoming year.

The President of Russia gave a high assessment to the open, mutually respectful relations, regular trust-based exchange of opinions with Uzbekistan on bilateral and regional issues, as well as current international problems. Mr Medvedev expressed confidence in the continuation of constructive joint efforts aimed at further strengthening bilateral Russian-Uzbekistani ties, security, and stability in Central Asia.