The message reads, in part:

Friends, I am happy to see you here in Moscow and to congratulate you on World Culture Day. It may be symbolic, but Russia's Bolshoi Theatre is hosting the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Culture.

Age-old humanitarian ties play an important role in expanding the multi-faceted relations between our countries, and they also ensure the mutual enrichment of our national cultures.

Many outstanding projects, which involve famous artists and young talented stage and film directors, actors and musicians from Russia and the European Union, are currently being implemented. This allows people from various countries to get to know and understand each other better.

I hope that the various proposals and recommendations due to be drafted at the conference will come to fruition and that they will help expand our partnership in the interests of all European countries.

I wish you every success.

D. Medvedev