Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry left Cairo Saturday night for a three-day European tour that include visits to Russia, Estonia and Lithuania that would discuss bolstering economic, political and trade ties with Egypt, state news agency MENA reported.

The foreign minister is expected to visit Russia first, where he will deliver a written letter from Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Shoukry will be visiting Lithuania and Estonia for the first time, where he will also deliver a letter from El-Sisi to the presidents of both countries.

During the visit, Shoukry will promote the bid of former minister of family and population Moshira Khattab for the position of Director General of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Russia, Estonia and Lithuania are executive board members of the UNESCO.