The President of the National Assembly Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov met the Russian Federation Minister of Culture Mr. Mihail Shvidkoy

At the meeting the President of the National Assembly Prof. Ognian Gerdjikov greeted the Russian Government and authorities for their actions in connection with the terrorist act in Moscow. He expressed sincere condolence for the victims of this act, unavoidable under the circumstances.
Minister Shvidkoy thanked for the compassion expressed by Bulgaria and added that most important is the fact that hundreds of the hostages are saved.
At the meeting Prof. Gerdjikov stressed that now Bulgaria and Russia are building their bilateral relations on a new basis.
The President of the National Assembly will pay an official visit to Russia in April 2003 at the invitation of Genadiy Seleznyov.
In May 2003 President Putin will pay an official visit to Bulgaria during the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Liberation from the Ottoman bondage. The patron of the celebrations is the President of the Bulgarian Parliament.
The Russian guest and the President of the National Assembly discussed the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of culture and in concrete projects. Prof. Gerdjikov acclaimed projects as the Days of Bulgarian Culture in Russia and of the Russian Culture in Sofia.
Earlier on Monday the Russian official met with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture Stefan Danailov. The two discussed various matters of cultural development of Bulgaria and Russia.