Official website of the President of Russia

In the message sent to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev, the Russian leader expressed his conviction that ties on multiple levels and fruitful cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan will continue to develop dynamically in the future. This will take place for the well-being of our countries and people, and in the interests of maintaining peace, stability and security in the Caucasus. Vladimir Putin also emphasized that the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia that took place in 2005 was very successful.

In the message sent to the President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, Vladimir Putin said that a new stimulus was given to the comprehensive Russian-Armenian strategic partnership in 2005, a partnership based on a centuries-old friendship between our peoples. One of the results was the success of events carried out under the auspices of the Year of Russia in Armenia. The message also expressed the confidence that ties between the countries will be strengthened thanks to new joint projects and initiatives.

When congratulating the President of Belarus, Alesksandr Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin stated his belief that the rate at which our governments have strengthened all forms of integration will further develop. Close and effective cooperation between Russia and Belarus will develop dynamically in the future in a spirit of trust and mutual understanding for the well-being of our two fraternal peoples.

Addressing the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, Vladimir Putin expressed the hope that 2006 will be marked by positive changes in Russian-Georgian relations for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and in the interests of stability and prosperity in the Caucasus.

In the message to the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbaev, the President of Russia emphasized that in 2005 Russian-Kazakhstan relations developed fruitfully and successfully. Our mutual political contacts have led to deeper and more profound relations, as well as successful and wider cooperation in the economic, cultural and educational spheres. The message expressed the confidence that the friendly, neighbourly relations between allies as well as the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan will become stronger in all areas for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries, and in the interests of peace, stability and security in the Eurasian region.

In the message addressed to the President of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiev, the Russian head of state expressed his confidence that widening Russian-Kyrgyzstan strategic cooperation in 2006 is in the interests of our countries and peoples, and will help guarantee stability and security in Central Asia.

When congratulating the President of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, the President of Russia expressed his hope that the coming year will be marked by constructive interaction between Russia and Moldova, both in their bilateral relations and in securing positive developments in the Transdniestria settlement.

Addressing the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmonov, the Russian leader pointed out that 2005 confirmed the strong tradition of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, a friendship based on equal rights, mutually advantageous relations between allies, and a strategic partnership. Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that the further development of Russian-Tajikistan relations is in the interests of Russia and Tajikistan, the peoples of both countries, and development and progress.

In the message addressed to the President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, the President of Russia expressed his confidence that in 2006 friendly and neighbourly relations and mutually advantageous cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan will further develop in all directions.

In the congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, the Russian head of state pointed out that there has been substantial progress in developing Russian-Uzbekistan cooperation in a great many important areas in 2005. Signing the Agreement on Allied Relations was a key event that opened new prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation. Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that harmonious, purposeful efforts by the two countries will help develop and strengthen partnership relations. This will serve the well-being of the peoples of Russia and Uzbekistan and the interests of peace and stability in Central Asia.

In the message to the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, Vladimir Putin expressed his conviction that cooperation between Russia and Ukraine will develop on the basis of mutual trust, and that 2006 will be the year in which friendship and mutual understanding in relations between the peoples of our brotherly nations will be strengthened.

Addressing the President of Germany, Horst Koehler, Vladimir Putin pointed out that 2005 represented an important step on the way to strengthening further the Russian-German strategic partnership. In the opinion of the President of Russia, the intensive political dialogue and Horst Koehler's visit to Russia for the closing ceremony of the Russian-German Cultural Meetings helped promote the steady development of cooperation between the two states on multiple levels.

In the congratulatory message addressed to the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the President of Russia noted that in 2005 the strategic partnership between the two countries has attained a qualitatively new level of dynamic development. This serves the well-being of the two peoples, the interests of European security and the interests of the whole world. Vladimir Putin expressed his hope that the forthcoming Russian-German talks in Moscow in January 2006 and the next round of high-level intergovernmental consultations would provide additional stimuli to cooperation in bilateral affairs and in the international arena. This will also enable cooperation to develop successfully and strengthen the prospects for cooperation.

In the message to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Elizabeth II, Vladimir Putin expressed his hope that in 2006 Russian-British cooperation will further develop constructively and dynamically in all areas.

When congratulating the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Anthony Blair, the President of Russia pointed out his satisfaction with the positive dynamics in relations between Russia and Great Britain. He emphasized that joint efforts have made it possible to bring bilateral ties to the required level, including cooperation on major international issues. Vladimir Putin is convinced that further developing and strengthening constructive cooperation between our countries' political, business, cultural and educational spheres are in the interests of the people of Russia and Great Britain, and European and world security.

Addressing the President of the Republic of India, Abdul Kalam, Vladimir Putin, pointed out that last year demonstrated that the strategic partnership between Russia and India is based on the profound shared long-term interests of our countries. This strategic partnership has extremely favourable prospects and is a powerful and constructive factor in world politics.

In the message to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Manmohan Singh, the President of Russia pointed out the unprecedented range of bilateral political and business contacts, and the excellent dynamics in the multiple and mutually advantageous ways Russia and India cooperated in 2005. Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that the numerous meetings in 2005 and first and foremost the recent successful summit in Moscow will contribute to the scale of the accomplishments of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership.

In the message to the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that in 2006 the traditional friendly ties between Russia and Italy will further develop in a substantial way for the well-being of our countries and peoples.

When congratulating the Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, Vladimir Putin pointed out that 2005 saw a significant number of bilateral contacts at all levels and confirmed the open and trusting character of close relations that exist between our countries. The political dialogue has become deeper and more multifaceted, new initiatives in the economic sphere have appeared, the range of cultural cooperation has substantially increased, as have friendly ties between the citizens of Russia and Italy. As before, Russian-Italian cooperation in the international arena supported stability, and strengthened the atmosphere of trust and cooperation on the European continent.

In the congratulatory message addressed to Canadian Governor General, Michaelle Jean, Vladimir Putin expressed his satisfaction with the dynamic and continuing development of Russian-Canadian relations.

When congratulating the Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin, the President of Russia pointed out the successful development of political dialogue, trade and economic ties, and the whole range of Russian-Canadian relations.

In the congratulatory message addressed to the President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, Vladimir Putin points out that especially in 2005 relations between the countries have attained a qualitatively new level of development and a high-level of mutual trust, and that cooperation in the economic, cultural and educational spheres will continue to develop dynamically. Vladimir Putin expressed his confidence that 2006, the Year of Russia in China, will offer new opportunities for the all-round expansion of Russian-Chinese cooperation.

When congratulating the President of the United States, George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin pointed out that a new stimulus was given to expanding the partnership between Russia and America and to strengthening their cooperation in international affairs. The President of Russia expressed his hope that 2006 will be favourable for Russia and the United States and will provide new opportunities for increasing the potential for cooperation between our countries.

In the message to the President of France, Jacques Chirac, Vladimir Putin noted that the increasingly positive dynamic of French-Russian cooperation on many levels is designed to maintain global security and stability, and form a new, more just world order, based on mutual respect and equality.

The Russian head of state sent the very warmest wishes for the coming New Year to his Majesty Akihito, Emperor of Japan.

When congratulating the Prime Minister of Japan, Junchiro Koizumi, the President of Russia expressed his satisfaction concerning the further development of relations between the two countries and their cooperation in the international arena. Vladimir Putin greatly appreciates the level of trust and mutual understanding between our two states and expressed his hope that work towards the development of the Russian-Japanese creative partnership will increase in the future.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin also sent congratulatory messages to the heads of state and government of other foreign countries.