Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stepped down as California governor on Monday, has thanked President Dmitry Medvedev for his good wishes and invited him to go skiing.
The Russian leader earlier wrote on his twitter account, “@Schwarzenegger, wishing you success in this new phase of your life. There are many more interesting opportunities still to come!”“Thank you! @MedvedevRussiaE. I hope you're having a great new year and can't wait to see you again – maybe skiing?” the former Republican governor replied a few hours later. Medvedev, known for his love of mountain skiing, was quick to answer: “@Schwarzenegger: Thanks. We agreed – I remember. We’ll definitely find the time.”Schwarzenegger, 63, was California's governor for seven years. He was first elected to the post in October 2003 and was re-elected in November 2006. The former Hollywood action man left office with low approval ratings as California is mired in debt and high unemployment.The Russian president first met Schwarzenegger last summer, on a visit to Silicon Valley. The then Californian governor came to Russia in autumn 2010 with a delegation of high-tech executives and venture businessmen. He visited the new high-tech research hub Skolkovo, which is to become Russia’s version of America’s Silicon Valley.