OREANDA-NEWS. June 04, 2009. “Your extensive political experience and your wisdom as a statesman have earned you richly deserved respect in Greece and on the international scene,” reads the congratulatory message from the Russian President. “As a participant in the heroic Greek resistance during World War II, you contributed to the liberation of Europe from Nazism and helped defend the values of freedom and democracy.

We greatly appreciate your personal contribution to the development of Russian-Greek cooperation. In all the posts you have held, you have always been a staunch friend of our country.

Because of the important role you have played, relations between Russia and Greece have been constructed on a solid spiritual and historical basis that will help us attain new levels of strategic partnership. We dynamically develop our bilateral political dialogue, carry out major joint projects in the energy sector, take similar positions on topical international issues, and work together to strengthen peace, stability and security in Europe.”