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Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 22 / Trend E.Tariverdiyeva /
The Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku will contribute to the humanitarian dialogue, which is necessary for both countries, Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Narishkin said today.
"I am pleased to participate in the opening ceremony. This important and beautiful event starts this year," Narishkin said. He said this center is equipped with rich historical foundations.
"I am grateful to the Azerbaijani authorities for establishing the center," he added.
The Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku will strengthen the Azerbaijan-Russia relations that are developing very rapidly, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Head Ramiz Mehdiyev said today at the opening ceremony.
Mehdiyev said this is an important event in the humanitarian ties that move to the next level.
"We are grateful to all, who participated in the project. If the two countries' leaders find a time for such activities, it says a lot," he said.
"Our cultures' influence to each other is unquestionable. Today, the Russian language continues to be important in Azerbaijan", Mehdiyev said.
The Russian-Azerbaijani Humanitarian Forum under the patronage of the Presidents will be held in autumn and this center will also contribute to the preparation of the forum, Mehdiyev added.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu said the work is underway on the establishment of the Azerbaijani-Russian Center in Moscow similar to the Center in Baku.
"Now we are working on creating such a center in Moscow. Of course, there are some difficulties, but I think that they would shortly be resolved," he said at the opening ceremony today.
Bulbuloglu greeted the opening of the Center in Baku. Bulbuloglu said the opening of such centers is very important for the strengthening and deepening of the bilateral ties.
This event will further enhance the dynamics of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, especially in the humanitarian sphere, he added.
Narishkin attended the opening ceremony of a new building belonging to the Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku.
During the visit, Narishkin is accompanied by a state delegation, including Assistant to the Russian President Jahan Polliyeva, Russian Presidential Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi, Russian Presidential Special Representatives for CIS and Rossotrudnichestvo Chief Farit Mukhametshin and other prominent state and public figures.
The Russian Information and Cultural Center's activities are aimed at informing the Azerbaijani public about Russia's achievements in various fields, its spiritual heritage, its rich scientific and cultural potential, promoting bilateral cultural, educational, scientific and technical programs, and business connections, supporting Russian language teaching, and interacting with non-governmental organizations and friendship societies.
The Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku is one of the most modern, information-rich Russian cultural centers abroad. The new five-story building located in the city center is equipped with necessary modern equipment, has cinema, concert, exhibition and conference halls, and a library. The center will also soon open centers for Russian-language training, distance learning and innovative cooperation, as well as clubs and studios.
One of the basic principles of Rossotrudnichestvo in creating Russian cultural centers is to use innovative methods to display Russia's cultural and spiritual wealth. Manifestation of this approach will be the presentation of the latest multimedia project of the State Russian Museum - Information and Education Centre "Russian Museum: Virtual Branch", as well as an e-reading room of the Presidential Library of Boris Yeltsin and other projects.
A book exhibition will be held by the Russian Publishers Association at the opening ceremony. Nearly 200 new books will be shown at the exhibition that will soon be donated to the center.
The Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku is led by Enver Sheikhov.