"The history of Russia-New Zealand relations records many examples of close partnership and productive cooperation. People in our country remember the weighty contribution lent to the common victory over Nazism by New Zealand navy men, who during the Second World War took an active part in Northern convoys. It is highly symbolic that it was during that period that Moscow and Wellington established diplomatic ties.
"It is my belief that further development of two-way cooperation meets the interests of the peoples of Russia and New Zealand and will help to ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region."