Russian museum exhibitions possible in certain Gulf countries - presidential rep

MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry is evaluating risks to Russian museum exhibitions abroad, Russian Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi said, adding that for now exhibitions are possible in China, Azerbaijan and certain countries of the Persian Gulf.

"As for exhibitions in other countries, the Foreign Ministry is evaluating risks to global museum exchanges. When I was asked where we can send them without fear, I said and my response was probably too harsh; we do not have to fear sending them to China or maybe also Azerbaijan. Perhaps, [...] to some countries of the Gulf," Shvydkoi said at a plenary session of Intermuseum on Thursday.

He added that no museum exhibitions should be arranged in Mongolia for certain reasons.

"They should be sent only to those places that provide a guarantee of return," Shvydkoi said.

There are eight countries in the Persian Gulf region, namely, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The Russian Culture Ministry suspended museum exhibitions abroad on March 3, 2022. Cooperation with friendly countries, including exhibitions, was expected to resume in 2023.

Shvydkoi said previously that it would be unrealistic to resume inter-museum exchanges until 2025, given that Russian cultural valuables are not protected in unfriendly countries. He said later that the ban might be eased for certain countries, among them China.