19 Apr 2013 15:04

Putin surprised by growth of tourist traffic from Russia to Egypt

BOCHAROV RUCHEI (Sochi). April 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that tourist traffic from Russia to Egypt gained 35% in 2012.

"Amid intensification of political contacts, the economy grows, it grows regardless of difficulties in the global economy - trade turnover is $3.5 billion. Traffic of Russian tourists going to Egypt grew," Putin said at a meeting with Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi.

The Russian president said: "The gain in 2012 was 35%. I was very surprised but it is a fact."

The Russian president said that Russia and Egypt have friendly relations and the two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties in 2013.