Russian Minister of Culture Mikhail Shvydkoy and State German Minister Julian Nida-Rumellin have signed a number of agreements today.

In particular, the parties have reached an agreement to transfer the ownership for stained glass windows, which were brought to the USSR in 1945 and have been stored in Hermitage, to Mariin Kirche (a church in Frankfurt-on-Oder). At the same time the German party participates in restoration of the Temple of Blessed Virgin Assumption (Novgorodskaya Oblast) damaged during German-fascist occupation. More than $204 thou. were assigned for its reconstruction. According to Shvydkoy, Russia and Germany have reached such a kind of relations that allow to carry out several projects simultaneously. The parties agreed to realize several joint cultural events in 2003-2004. This will include exhibitions, festivals, symposiums.

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