Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum Has Important Place In Countries' Cultural Lives - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted on Friday the guests of the 19th Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum, and noted the event's crucial role in the culture and society of both countries.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th September, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted on Friday the guests of the 19th Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum, and noted the event's crucial role in the culture and society of both countries.

"I heartily welcome you on the occasion of the opening of the 19th Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum. Your forum has an important place in the cultural and social role of the both countries and provides a great opportunity for informal, constructive dialogue on a number of issues relating to our good neighborly relations," Putin's greeting was quoted as saying by the Kremlin press service.

The Russian president also acknowledged the density of the forum's agenda, which touches upon such issues as the development of cross-border tourism and increase in exchanges between cultural facilities.

The forum will also address such issues as the prospects for cooperation between the Russian and Finnish scholars in researching the common history and rich spiritual background of the two countries.

Putin expressed confidence that the forum's discussions would be interesting, substantive and fruitful, and would further boost humanitarian ties as well as consolidate friendship and confidence between the peoples of Russia and Finland.

The Finnish-Russian Cultural Forum is an annual event which has been held in Russia an Finland since 2000. The 19th cultural forum is being held in the Finnish town of Savonlinna on September 27-30.