The activities of the Egyptian-Russian forum that discussed the results of the year of humanitarian cooperation between Egypt and Russia initiated by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and President Vladimir Putin, ended at the headquarters of the Russian House in Dokki, Cairo on 18 July. Activities of the forum were launched in the presence of a delegation from the Russian Ministry of Culture, representatives of several Egyptian government institutions and ministries, the director of the Russian Cultural Centres in Egypt Marat Gatin, and the president of the Egyptian Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities Sherif Gad.

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The Russian delegation expressed happiness in visiting Cairo and stressed that the year of humanitarian cooperation will be the beginning of many new projects to be implemented in the years to come between both countries and that popular diplomacy is one of the most important goals of this year.

They also pointed out that the youthful cooperation was fruitful and crucial to both parties and that preparations are now being made to organize a cultural forum for children for Egyptian children to participate.

The representative of the Russian libraries announced that the days of Egyptian culture had been organized in Russia to introduce the rich Egyptian civilization as well as a book fair honoring late Nobel laureate  Naguib Mahfouz. In addition, a cultural week about Egypt is scheduled to be organized in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy in Moscow.

In this respect, representatives of the Museum of Russian Peoples and the International Historical Museum expressed their admiration of the openings of Egyptian museums and praised the presentation presented by Moamen Othman, Head of the Museums Sector.

In his speech, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Abdallah El-Batesh indicated that the year of humanitarian cooperation was a window for interaction and closer cooperation between the youth in Egypt and Russia in the coming years. He also announced the inauguration of the first Egyptian-Russian Youth Council in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs in Russia.

For her part, Ekaterina Torubarova director of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Federal Agency for Russian Cultural Centres abroad stressed the crucial role played by the Russian House as a platform that allows for building a fruitful and constructive dialogue in the field of humanitarian cooperation.

On the other hand, Ismail Amer director of the Foreign Tourism Offices at the Ministry of Tourism stressed that the Russian tourist is one of the most important sources of Egyptian tourism and announced the ministry's readiness to provide all assistance to facilitate the movement of tourists in both countries.

Ambassador Reda El-Taify director of the Egyptian Public Libraries Fund proposed to the Russian side to finance the establishment of a public library in one of the Egyptian governorates.

Notably, Makarim El-Ghamry, a professor of Russian literature, demanded support to the departments of Russian language in Egyptian universities by sending professors to teach there and supplying them with the necessary books.

Meanwhile, the director of the Russian centres Marat Gatin stated that the activities of the "Year of Humanitarian Cooperation" extended outside the cities of Cairo and Alexandria and included several Egyptian governorates and cities such as Kafr El-Sheikh, Rashid, Damanhour, Tanta, Luxor, and Hurghada.

"I hope to complete more various activities to confirm what was agreed upon during this year and to reinforce the bonds of relations between the two friendly countries and peoples," Gatin expressed.

It is worth noting that a photo exhibition on Russian heritage was held on the sidelines of the forum.