YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The official opening ceremony of the cultural days of the Arab Republic of Egypt took place at the National Gallery of Armenia on July 23. Minister Hasmik Poghosian welcomed these cultural days, which are being held in Armenia between July 21 to 29 and stressed that there are great opportunities to expand and develop the cultural relations of the two countries, in the sphere of modern arts, in particular. "The mutual cultural cooperation is one of the most powerful dialogues between countries and states at present, especially, when it serves against violations and wars," the Minister is convicted. According to Abla Abdel Rahman, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Armenia, these cultural relations are the evidence of the diplomatic relations, which have developed between these two countries since 1992. The Egyptian diplomat makes assertions that the bilateral meeting of the Presidents and the Prime Ministers of the two countries have contributed to this mutual cooperation. "The diplomatic relations between these two countries play a great role in preserving peaceful relations between the states in the Middle East and the Caucasian region, excluding extremities and unbridling of wars," the Minister stressed. The works of Farghal Abdel Khalifa, a modern Egiptian painter, were introduced during the opening ceremony of the cultural days of Egypt, and as for the Egyptian musical way of thiniking, it was introduced through the Nubian rhythms of the "Nubian drums" band. It should also be mentioned that the above-mentioned band will have concerts in Yerevan, Artashat, Dilijan, and Garni during this week.

---