Culture Minister Helmi el Namnam has invited Armenia as a guest of honor at the Cairo International Book Fair of 2019.

Namnam, on Saturday, received Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture Nerses Ter-Vardanyan.

Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt Armen Melkonian took part in the meeting that dealt with cultural relations and ways to boost cooperation between the two countries, in light of their historical relations.

The minister hailed Armenians' contributions to the field of art and culture in Egypt, expressing hope a cooperation protocol would be signed in those fields as soon as possible.

He called for organizing an Egyptian cultural week in Armenia in 2017, with the participation of Egyptian writers and intellectuals.

Egypt was one of the first countries in the Arab world to recognize the independence of Armenia in 1991. In March 1992, diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. In September 1992, the first diplomatic mission of Armenia in the Middle East was inaugurated in Cairo.

The Armenian Embassy in Cairo includes a Cultural Affairs section that aims to boost the country, its culture and values in Egypt by launching educational and cultural exchange programs that increase understanding between the peoples of Egypt and Armenia.