Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem met on 30 November with Ambassador Christian Berger, the head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, to discuss supporting cultural and artistic cooperation between Egypt and the European Union, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

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During the meeting, Abdel-Dayem assured Egypt's keenness to enhance mutual participation in the various intellectual and artistic activities organised in Egypt or in Europe from before the outbreak of COVID-19 until now.

The minister explained that many events have been organised online, adding that "soft power is a means of achieving rapprochement between the nations of the world and it is a bridge for exchanging various visions and experiences."

Furthermore, Abdel-Dayem stressed the need to intensify cooperation in cultural and artistic projects between Egypt and the European Union.

For his part, Ambassador Berger stressed the importance of Egypt's pivotal role in the cultural and artistic domains, as it is the oldest civilisation in history.

He assured that he continuously follows up on the cultural and creative movement in Egypt, and that he has witnessed remarkable online activities in all fields organised by the Ministry of Culture's different sectors.

Berger also hailed the frequent holding of cultural and artistic activities in Egypt in accordance with strict precautionary measures at a time when the world's theatres have stopped.

"Culture and arts are an important sentimental requirement, especially in the critical time the world is going through," he continued.

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At the end of the meeting, the minister gifted Berger with a collection of the ministry's publications and invited him to visit Aisha Fahmy Palace, where the Treasures of Our Museums exhibition is held, showcasing 118 works including paintings and sculptures by great European artists of the 18^th and 19^th centuries.