President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of congratulations to German Federal President Horst Kohler and German Federal
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on the occasion of Germany's national holiday - the Day of German Unity.
The message reads, in particular:
“Through their relations today Russia and Germany are successfully realising their impressive potential for multifaceted
and productive cooperation. Today, 15 years after reunification, Germany has become a reliable and promising strategic
partner for our country, a partner with whom we share greatly diverse business and cultural-humanitarian ties and a
common desire to develop our contacts at every level and undertake major bilateral and multilateral projects together.
All of this also forms a solid foundation for active cooperation between our countries on the international stage.
I am certain that the course we have set of developing our strategic partnership is in the interests of both our
countries. Our objective in following this course is to work together to counter new threats and challenges, build a
united and prosperous Europe and strengthen stability and security in the world.”