MOSCOW – Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad Saleh Al-Awwad, while stressing the current historic visit by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman is the first by a Saudi Monarch to the Russian Federation, also claimed that culture is one of the basic elements that support partnerships between countries.

Culture also helps in disseminating human knowledge and exchanging experiences and expertise. This grants dialogue and cultural exchange wider horizons for interaction and positive influence between peoples, he added.

This came in a speech by Dr. Al-Awwad on his inauguration of the activities of the Saudi Cultural Week in Russia being held in the Russian capital, Moscow, on the occasion of the King’s visit, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The inauguration was in the presence of the Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky and the Saudi media delegation accompanying the King on his visit to Russia, aside from a large number of Russian citizens.

Speaking on the King’s visit to Russia, Dr. Al-Awwad said King Salman’s visit was preceded by official visits, as in 1932 the late King Faisal paid a visit to Russia when he was the Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2003, the late King Abdullah visited Russia when he was the Crown Prince. In 2006, King Salman visited the country when he was the Emir of Riyadh. In 2007, the late Prince Sultan visited it as Crown Prince.

However, this historic visit is the first by a Saudi monarch to the Russian Federation. It is being treated as the highest level state visit. “We thank the Russian Federation for the warm welcome, hospitality, and attention,” he said.

He said this visit by King Salman takes the two countries to an important phase in their relations. He considered Russia to be a pivotal country not only in the Mideast, but the whole world.

Awwad added: “The Kingdom Vision 2030 has established a new springboard for Saudi culture, which is one of the stimuli to man’s development culturally towards wider horizons....” -- SG