By Andrew Krivocheev:
Mikhail Gusman, ITAR-TASS 1st Deputy Director General, Executive Secretary of the World Association of Russian Press: Russian-language media are widespread in the United States. The Russian press is present in more than 80 countries. This has never happened before.
Belarus has been chosen the capital of the 15th congress not by accident. The Russian language is the second state language in Belarus; the country has been promoting the Russian culture and media. Moreover, the date - June 22 - marks the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.
Vitaly Ignatenko, Chairman of the ITAR-TASS Board, President of the World Association of Russian Press: This means great respect for Belarus and appreciation of the attitude to the Russian language in your country. Today you can see representatives of 60 different countries here. This is the triumph of the press.
Sergey Tokarev, Director General of the Russian Emirates Publishing House, UAE: There is a significant outflow of tourists from Turkey and Egypt to the United Arab Emirates. The number of tourists increases by 25% annually. The Emirates are a large island of stability in the turbulent Arab world.
The Russian press forum in Belarus will last for another 4 days. The main plenary discussions at the National Library are scheduled for tomorrow.
Mikhail Gusman, ITAR-TASS 1st Deputy Director General, Executive Secretary of the World Association of Russian Press: Vladimir Lenin said that the newspaper is not only a collective propagandist, but also a collective organizer. Thus, the mission of the Russian media is very important mission abroad.













