MOSCOW, July 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin hopes that relations with the European Commission will develop in the spirit of strategic partnership.

Putin congratulated Jean-Claude Juncker on the election as head of the European Commission for the next five years, the Kremlin press service says.

In a greetings telegram, Putin said, “Relations between Russia and the European Union are put to the serious test.”

However, he said, “I hope that relations will develop in the spirit of mutually advantageous strategic partnership.

“The high international authority of Jean-Claude Junker, his rich political experience, his position of principle and adherence to the idea of Europe’s unity will contribute to the constructive work of the European Commission and will help building the entire set of Russia-EU ties,” Putin wrote in his telegram to Juncker.