President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, made a telephone call to Ilham Aliyev

The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, phoned the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev, on 24 December.

The President of the Russian Federation congratulated the Azerbaijani President on his birthday and wished him strong health and new successes in his presidential activity.

The Azerbaijani President thanked Dmitry Medvedev for his congratulations and attention.

The two presidents described 2010 as a successful year for the development of bilateral relations between our countries and expressed their confidence that our relations will continue to expand.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also sent a congratulatory letter to the president of the Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev, on 18 December 2010. The letter reads:

"To the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,

I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday!

Your work as president is rightly associated with the success of Azerbaijan, a modern state that is dynamically developing. The great achievements of your country in the economic and social sphere and its growing role in the international arena deserve a high assessment.

I highly value the friendly personal relationship between us. Your determination to expand strategic partnership, friendship and good neighbourly relations between Russia and Azerbaijan helps develop sustainable multifaceted cooperation between our states.

I am confident that the continuation of active mutual relations between Russia and Azerbaijan will not only serve the interests of our countries and peoples, but also help strengthen stability and security in the Caucasus.

I wish you strong health and the Azerbaijani people peace and progress.

Dmitry Medvedev,
The President of the Russian Federation,

Moscow, Kremlin, 18 December 2010"