Brussels, 15/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission congratulated Russian president, Vladimir Putin on Monday for his unexpected re-election on Sunday (with 69% of the vote) for another mandate of four years. "Dear president, I wish to congratulate you on your re-election as president…With the support of such a large majority, you now have the possibility of completing the reform process… of liberalisation…I count also on the Russian contribution to world peace and understanding. I look forward to continuing our cooperation and to building an even stronger relationship between Russia and the European Union. I am confident that our forthcoming meeting in Moscow on April 22 will represent an important step in that direction".