MOSCOW, January 16. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Egypt’s leadership on a successful referendum over a new Constitution in the country.

“We hope that Egyptian society will overcome current political and socio-economic difficulties and the country will return on the path of stability and growth,” the Russian president said at a ceremony of presenting credentials by several ambassadors of foreign countries in the Kremlin on Thursday.

Putin asked a new Egyptian ambassador “to convey the best wishes to Egyptian leadership” and congratulations over a constitutional referendum.

Putin also voiced hope for development of cooperation between the two countries.

Two-day referendum on a new Egyptian Constitution ended on Wednesday evening. According to preliminary reports, overwhelming majority of Egyptians has supported the Constitution. Official referendum returns are expected to be announced 72 hours after its end.

The constitutional referendum became first practical step in a roadmap, which the country’s army had developed after President Mohammed Morsi was toppled on July 3. Parliamentary and presidential elections should follow the referendum. The effect of the previous constitution, which was enacted during the rule of Islamists in December 2012 and stirred up many disputes in society, was suspended by the military last summer alongside ousting the previous president from power and dissolution of parliament.