I would like to convey heartfelt greetings to the organisers, participants and guests of the Russian Week on the Ionian Islands.

Russia and Greece have a solid track record of sincere friendship and fruitful cooperation. Our people share a long history of mutual sympathy underpinned by a common spirituality and Orthodox culture, which makes our civilisations even closer.

Your forum is an important contribution to strengthening trust and mutual understanding. It has a very rich agenda, providing people from Russia and Greece with an opportunity to gain an insight into each other’s rich heritage, traditions and customs. It is symbolic that this festival is held during the Russia-Greece cross-cultural year, which spans various areas, from economics and tourism to research and education.

Your meeting celebrates famous Russian naval commander, admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who liberated the Ionian Islands. We praise Greece for remembering Russia’s contribution to supporting the national liberation struggle of the Greek people. I strongly believe that the great history of our relations will provide a solid foundation for stepping up bilateral ties in various areas to the benefit of our countries.

I wish you a festive mood, vivid impressions and all the very best.

 

Sergey Lavrov

 

Moscow, September 29, 2016