In his message, the Prime Minister of Russia writes, in part:
“You enjoy well-deserved respect in Germany, Europe and around the world. You have many friends in our country, who greatly value your integrity, consistency and foresight.
“I would like to make special mention of the big role you have played personally in strengthening the relations of friendship and partnership between Russia and Germany. As Federal Chancellor you helped launch large joint economic and investment projects that are yielding substantial tangible gains for all of their participants.
“Importantly, in the current difficult circumstances you continue making a useful contribution to promoting major new initiatives linking Russia and Germany. I am referring above all to Nord Stream, which is raising our energy cooperation to a new level.”
