MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – The first Russian cultural center is expected to open in Belarus in the near future, Alexander Fedorov, a counselor of the Russian Embassy in Belarus, told reporters in the Museum of Great Patriotic War in Minsk on 18 February. The center will promote the projects of humanitarian cooperation, hold the roundtables, conferences, seminars and exhibitions aimed at popularizing the achievements of the Russian culture, art, science and the Russian language. “Russia intends to expand its cultural presence in Belarus,” Alexander Fedorov said. The center is expected to open in 2010. It is being set up owing to the agreement between the governments of Belarus and Russia on establishing and functioning the information and cultural centers. The agreement was signed during a session of the Belarus-Russia Union State Supreme State Council in December 2009. According to Alexander Fedorov, Russia and Belarus implement various joint cultural projects. For instance, in July 2009 events timed to the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity were held in the Minsk House of Youth.

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