MOSCOW, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's prime minister sent messages to his counterparts in Slovenia and Croatia on Thursday congratulating them on the 18th anniversary of independence from Yugoslavia, the government press service said.
The two countries were the first to declare their independence from Yugoslavia, on June 25 1991.
In his message to Slovenia's Borut Pahor, Putin said: "the expanding of political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation and the fulfillment of major joint projects in energy" between Russia and Slovenia would strengthen stability and security in Europe.
Congratulating Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, the Russian premier said he hoped for a strengthening of bilateral ties in the political, trade and economic, energy, scientific and cultural spheres, to further the interests of both countries.
