Cyprus News Agency

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Shaheen met on Sunday with the President of the International Writers’ Union, writer Konoplyanikov. The meeting was attended by Murad Sudani, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Writers and Literati Union, and Rania Ibragith, Director of the Cultural Cooperation Department and Senior Adviser.

Minister Shaheen expressed her pleasure at Konoplyanikov’s first visit to the State of Palestine, stressing that visits by writers and intellectuals during this difficult period for the Palestinian people play an important role in conveying Palestine’s voice and cause to the world.

Noting that Palestinian-Russian cultural relations are rooted in historical depth and a shared cultural heritage, Shaheen said Russian literature is widely read in Palestine and voiced hopes to strengthen the presence of Palestinian literature in Russia.

Shaheen also stated that the accession of the Palestinian Writers and Literati Union to the International Writers’ Union would enhance international cultural cooperation and literary exchange, affirming that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates is ready to provide all forms of support to Palestinian culture and literature.

For his part, International Writers’ Union President Yuri Konoplyanikov expressed his support for the Palestinian cause, saying that writers and intellectuals stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and are ready to develop cultural and literary cooperation between the two sides.