Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Sunday decorated the mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic, for his efforts in strengthening the Russian-Croatian nations, according to a press release issued by the Office of the Zagreb Mayor.

During the ceremony, Bandic said that he expects the cooperation between the Croatian and the Russian people to continue to develop.

President Putin thanked Bandic and other recipients of the Order of Friendship for their contribution to the promotion of the relations with Russia and its culture.