Iran, Russia agree to expand cultural cooperation

Deputy Russian Culture Minister Andrey Busygin and Head of Culture and Islamic Communications Organization of Iran Mohammad-Baqer Khorramshad here Wednesday emphasized need for broader bilateral cultural cooperation.

According to IRNA from Moscow, the two sides made the point after referring to the two nations' interest in each other's cultures, literatures, and arts.

Busygin referred to the special status of the Iranian culture and literature among the Russian nation, arguing, 'We are pursuing the policy of expanding relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran seriously.'

The Russian deputy culture minister said that the Russians in general and the Russian intellectuals in particular, are highly interested in Persian culture and especially in Persian poetry, adding, 'We welcome the idea of expansion of cultural cooperation between our two countries.'

He reiterated, 'The two countries have very good potentials in such fields as museum management, cinema, and book publication, which can be used for expansion of bilateral cultural relations, and doing so is in need of appropriate policy making to be turned from potentials into practice.'

The Russian deputy minister also referred to cultural and artistic training courses as another important field for bilateral cultural cooperation, expressing the Russian side's interest in that field.

He added, 'This year we will have an Iran Culture Week in Russia, and in the year 2013, too, we would be hosting the Russia Culture Week in Iran.' Khorramshad added, 'In addition to the culture week, we can also hold cinema weeks of the two countries in Iran and Russia.'

The head of Iran's Culture and Islamic Communications pointed out that Russia has very valuable experience in cinema field, reiterating, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran, too, has a special school in cinematography, which is acclaimed by friends and foes alike, particularly more so, since Iran and Russia have shared side interests, as well.'

He said, 'Both countries emphasize the need for preserving own cultural values and in cinema field, too, both Iran and Russia believe in cultural diversity, which paves the ground for broader bilateral cultural cooperation.'

Referring to intrigues made by certain countries and their efforts aimed at cultural onslaught against other countries, he stressed need for cultural cooperation between Iran and Russia more than ever before in the past.

The Iranian cultural official proposed the establishment of a shared cultural commission aimed at holding talks and negotiations on ways for expanding cultural cooperation and relations, which was welcomed by the Russian minister.

Khorramshad noted that Iran has already established such commissions with Turkey and with China, adding, 'The level of Iran's relations is not lower than its ties with those two countries.'

The Russian deputy culture minister welcomed the proposal, asking for a time to survey the matter keeping in mind the administrative and financial aspects of the matter.'

The head of the Culture and Islamic Communications Organization meanwhile proposed that one way for expanding the Iran-Russia cultural relations is to expand the regional cooperation, in the framework of such treaties as such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Caspian Sea Littoral Countries Cooperation Organization.

Mohammad-Baqer Khorramshad arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for an official two day visit.


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