Russian leader sends greetings to Castro, Maduro, Rousseff, Obama

President Vladimir Putin of Russia sent New Year messages to the presidents of three Latin American countries, as well as Barack Obama of the United States. Excerpts from the press release from the Kremlin follow.

“Addressing President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro on National Liberation Day and the coming New Year, President Putin noted the implementation of promising projects in the financial, economic, energy, scientific, technological, cultural and humanitarian spheres and expressed interest in the further expansion of constructive partnership through mutual efforts.

“In a message to President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, Mr Putin stressed that 2013 was overshadowed by the untimely demise of a great friend of Russia, Hugo Chavez, but given that his devoted associate Nicolas Maduro continued to carry on his cause, Russia and Venezuela have reached important bilateral agreements and have acted jointly on the international arena with great success. The Russian leader also expressed hope that in 2014 joint efforts for the benefit of the peoples of Russia and Venezuela with be just as fruitful.

“The message of congratulations to President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff notes the successful development of relations between the two countries in all key areas. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that in 2014 Russia and Brazil would enhance all intergovernmental ties in the spirit of strategic partnership, which fully meets the interests of the peoples of both nations and is in line with the goal of upholding international stability and security.

“In his message to President of the United States of America Barack Obama, the President of Russia emphasized that the events of the past year clearly demonstrated how, acting in the spirit of partnership and on the basis of respecting one another, Russia and the United States are capable of making a real input into supporting global stability, resolving some of the most difficult international problems. Vladimir Putin also confirmed his desire to maintain a constructive dialogue and continue joint work to strengthen trust and mutual understanding in Russian-US relations, to broaden cooperation in the economic, science and technology, cultural, and other areas.”