The Qatar-Russia Year of Culture will result in the flow of a large number of tourists to both the countries, noted the Russian envoy to Qatar. 

The celebrations are to be inaugurated on Saturday evening at Katara in the presence of high level officials. Russia's Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky is the guest of honour on the occasion.
In an exclusive interview to Gulf Times, Russian ambassador, Nurmakhmad Kholov said that the bond between Qatar and Russia is on a high note in various fields.
“I believe that our countries have great potential for further development of bilateral relations. The Qatar-Russia Year of Culture will provide us an opportunity not only to intensify humanitarian co-operation, but will also increase the flow of tourists to our countries, strengthen economic ties, and open new opportunities for cooperation in new directions,” explained Kholov.
“We are now on the right track. We have established and developed contacts in various spheres. But, the people of Russia and Qatar do not know each other well enough. Therefore, we are serious about bringing our nations closer together. For this, there are all possibilities and the Year of Culture will make an irreplaceable contribution to this business,” Kholov continued.
The ambassador stated that Russia intends to maintain the present level of development in the bilateral relations, filling it with new content. “I am sure that the Year of Culture will not be only a cultural event, but will open the potential for the development of mutual co-operation in many other spheres. The programmes for the upcoming Russia-Qatar Year of Culture will please the Qatari audience and the guests with its diversity. There will be a number of cultural events throughout the year featuring some of the best art and cultural programmes that should be a wonderful feast for the residents of the country,” felt the official. 
According to the diplomat, in the area of FIFA World Cup 2018 and 2022, there is a close interaction between the Organising Committees Russia-2018 and Qatar-2022.
“We are pleased with the fruitful co-operation with our Qatari partners through national football unions, sharing our experience in the field of ensuring the safety of sport events, as well as in the training of athletes and the development of sport medicine. We are satisfied with close ties which have been established in the field of sports between our countries, especially in the face of attempts by some international officials to politicise this topic. I am confident that the world football championships will be held in our countries at the highest level,” added Kholov.
Russia will present more than 100 cultural programmes and exhibitions in Qatar to mark the Qatar-Russia Year of Culture. This will include a number of exhibitions, folk dances and popular crafts including famous masterpieces of world paintings and historical relics.

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