Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin congratulated his current and former colleagues for New Year.

In his congratulatory message to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the head of the Russian government expressed his  hope for joint efforts to bring relations between Russia and Armenia to a new, higher level.

Putin expressed his satisfaction to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan regarding the dynamic development of Russian-Armenian cooperation, including the promotion of large-scale joint projects.

Putin’s message addressed to President Ilham Aliyev, confirmed his readiness to continue joint work on the revitalization of the entire range of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, for peace and security in the Caucasus and the Caspian region. In a message addressed to the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasi-Zade, Putin expressed confidence that the strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan will continue to strengthen.

The Georgian leadership had not yet received a message of congratulations from Putin’s press office. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also did not receive New Year wishes. Putin sent a New Year greeting only to the country’s premier Mikhail Myasnikovich.