Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sent New Year greetings to U.S. President Barack Obama, welcoming the improvement in relations with the United States over the past year, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
"Taking stock of the outgoing year, I believe we can add it to the sum total of Russian-American cooperation. We have improved our ties, expanded cooperation on the world stage," Medvedev said.
"What is more important, trust, openness and readiness to heed each other's interests became the basis of our new approach to the development of relations."
This year marked the "reset" of Russia-U.S. relations that plunged to a Cold War low under the George W. Bush administration.
Obama and Medvedev moved to sign a new nuclear arms reduction pact to replace the START I treaty that expired December 5, although the final details are still being negotiated. Russia also allowed the transit through its airspace of U.S. military cargoes to Afghanistan.
However, Washington's missile defense plans for Europe, Georgia and other issues remain points of contention between the former Cold War rivals.
Medvedev said he hopes for intensive cooperation next year.
"Ahead of us are new, ambitious goals. I hope we will continue intensive joint efforts and a constructive dialogue to promote sustainable development of bilateral relations, strategic stability in the world, and solutions to global challenges," he said.
MOSCOW, December 30 (RIA Novosti)
