OREANDA-NEWS. March 4, 2009. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on his birthday.

The message read, in part:

"On this occasion, I would like to stress your personal contribution to strengthening our countries' partnership and extending mutually beneficial partnership in trade and economic, scientific and technological, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.

"I am pleased to recollect our meeting in Sochi in September 2008, and look forward to further cooperation with you for the sake of the Russian and French nations, and European security and stability."