Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants in the opening ceremony of a Russian-language school built with the assistance of the Russian Federation and the support of President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas.
The message reads, in part:
“Relations between our nations have a long history, in which Bethlehem occupies a special place. People in Russia have always valued highly the hospitality with which Russian pilgrims were received here. Dozens of schools and hospitals were built in the 19th and 20th centuries by the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society in the Holy Land. Later conditions were created for thousands of Palestinians to receive free university education in the Soviet Union. Trained to become doctors, engineers and experts in other areas, they serve their home country with honour.
Today over 100 scholarships are awarded in Russia for Palestinian students to study at Russian universities. The sovereign Palestinian State, which the Russian Federation has invariably supported, needs their knowledge.
The opening of a Russian school will be a significant contribution to stronger humanitarian ties between our two countries. Studying here, Palestinian students will be able to broaden their world outlook and discover the great masterpieces of the rich Russian culture. I am certain that many of its graduates will want to continue their education in Russia.”