An international conference marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Libya was held in Tripoli. Mahmoud Ghatmi, president of the Sheikh Tahir Az-Zawi Libyan Research Center, which hosted the event, told TASS that dozens of Russian scholars of the East and Libyan researchers took part, along with diplomats from both countries.
“This conference is the result of cooperation between the Libyan center and the Russian House in Tunisia, our partner in organizing the event. In June last year, in Tunis, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian House. We also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow in April last year. Today’s conference is taking place exactly on the 70th anniversary of the start of Libyan–Russian relations,” Ghatmi said.
At the opening, Tagir Shaykhislamov, the representative of the Russian House in Tunisia, read a greeting from Rossotrudnichestvo head Yevgeny Primakov. “In 1955, the foundation was laid for a reliable partnership that has stood the test of time and political change. This anniversary is a fitting moment to take stock of the path traveled and outline directions for further cooperation,” the message said.
Shaykhislamov also told a TASS correspondent that a ceremonial opening was held for an exhibition dedicated to the history of Soviet–Libyan relations in the 1950s–60s. The display includes historical documents, photographs, and articles from the Soviet press illustrating cooperation between the two countries. A documentary volume, “The Soviet Union (today’s Russian Federation) Through the Eyes of the Libyan Press,” published by the Libyan Research Center for the anniversary of diplomatic ties, was presented to conference participants.
Diplomatic relations between Libya and the Soviet Union were established on September 4, 1955, shortly after Libya gained full independence from Italy. In the initial stage of relations, Soviet specialists provided economic and technical assistance to the Arab country and helped develop its infrastructure. The rise to power of Muammar Gaddafi in 1969 marked a new phase in Libya–USSR ties. The Soviet Union was the first state to recognize the new republican regime on September 4, 1969. The Jamahiriya’s leader sought to expand relations with the USSR in both the economic and military spheres.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on TASS materials