MOSCOW, August 20 (RIA Novosti) - The intensive development of Russian-Hungarian cooperation benefits the two countries, as well as all European states, the Russian prime minister said on Thursday.

"I have the pleasure to point out the high level of Russian-Hungarian ties in the spheres of politics, economy, culture, science, technology, and others," Vladimir Putin said, adding that the further development of bilateral cooperation "meets the interests of the two nations, strengthening peace and stability on the European continent."

Putin's comments came in a telegram to his Hungarian counterpart Gordon Bajnai, congratulating him on Hungary's public holiday, St. Istvan's Day.