The President congratulated the King on the ending of the Muslim fast marked in Muslim countries nearly on the eve of Orthodox Christmas.
The message read, in part:
“This coincidence in time is rather symbolic at the turn of the century. We would like to see it as a good sign embodying people’s aspirations, irrespective of their religious beliefs, towards unity in the new millennium for the sake of building a just world order. Your message is permeated with your concern about the matter.”
Noting a similarity in their views on world processes and prospects for the development of the civilisation, Mr Putin supported the King’s desire to spare no efforts to further strengthen the friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation between the countries and peoples.