Russia's President Congratulates Canadian Prime Minister on 60th Anniversary of Russian-Canadian Diplomatic Relations

According to the press service of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, yesterday, on the 60th anniversary of Russian-Canadian diplomatic relations, he sent his congratulations to Jean Chretien, the Prime Minister of Canada. It was also the 10th anniversary of the agreement on friendship and cooperation between Canada and the Russian Federation.

In his letter, President Putin wrote, 'While Russian-Canadian relations were long time in the making, today they have reached the level of active political dialogue and close partnership in various spheres, including the assuring of international security and stability. The successful visit to Russia of the Canadian delegation headed by you and the agreements we reached during that visit have made our relationship far more dynamic and the prospects of our further joint work, as concerns trade, economy and investments, much clearer'.

'Official relations between our countries were established during our joint struggle against fascism. Today, Russia and Canada once again stand shoulder-to-shoulder opposing new global threats, first of all international terrorism. I am sure Russia and Canada, together with other members of the international community, will successfully meet this challenge. I hope that the pending summit of the "Great Eight" in Kananaskis will give us all a good chance to coordinate international efforts as concerns this most important task'.