The message reads, in part:
"Your conference, which brings together legendary cosmonauts, prominent scientists and researchers, high-ranking officials and foreign guests, was timed to coincide with the anniversary celebrations marking the first manned spaceflight. Fifty years ago, Yury Gagarin overcame not only the Earth's gravitational pull but also the myriad difficulties that faced the first conquerors of the Universe. His heroic flight secured our country the status of a great space power.
"It makes perfect sense that your conference is taking place in Kaluga, the town where the science of space exploration was conceived and came to fruition, and which was home to many outstanding Russians who did so much to turn humankind's dream of space flight into a reality.
"And here I want to stress the fact that the Kaluga Region is now a recognised leader in breakthrough technological development and in implementing large-scale innovative projects, including those underpinning the development of the Russian space industry."