Russia's State Hermitage Museum to continue cooperating with China, Japan, Arab states

ST. PETERSBURG. Nov 15 (Interfax) - The presence of Russia's State Hermitage Museum in the European Union has been halted, but the museum is planning cooperation and exhibitions in Asia, museum director Mikhail Piotrovsky said at a press conference at Interfax on Tuesday.

"Firstly, the latest technologies are of a great help for showcasing exhibitions in the current situation. Secondly, our presence in Europe is currently frozen. But we are getting ready for exhibition activities involving China when the quarantine ends there. We have tentative plans with Japan and Malaysia and are maintaining contacts with the Arab states. We are working on all those tracks. There are tours of almost all exhibitions in English; they are available online," Piotrovsky said.

He added that unofficial ties with Western countries still exist. "Everyone is ready to resume contacts when the situation calms down," Piotrovsky said.