Bahraini-Russian space cooperation discussed

Moscow, July 24 (BNA): The Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, Sergey Saveliev, praised the level of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation in the field of space, thanks to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. This came during a meeting between Mr. Saveliev and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Russian Federation, Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Sa'ati. The Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency said that the Russian Federation is ready to send the first Bahraini astronaut to the Russian space station in a joint trip with Russian astronauts next year, after the start of an intensive program for a number of Bahraini candidates at the Russian Space Institute in Moscow to qualify one of them for this task. Mr. Saveliev extended an invitation to the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in charge of the National Space Science Agency, the Executive Chairman of the Agency and a number of Bahraini officials to attend the launch of the Russian missile, which will carry a group of astronauts into space in October, expressing the keenness of the Russian body to prepare an educational and training program on space science for a number of young Bahrainis in Moscow. The Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency affirmed his country's participation in the Bahrain International Air Show in November to present the history of the Russian Federation in space and the services provided by the Agency in various military and civilian areas, noting the readiness of the Russian Federation to sign during the show a memorandum of understanding with the National Space Science Agency in Bahrain. The Ambassador expressed his thanks and appreciation for the Russian Federation for its support and cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain to develop its capabilities in the field of space within the framework of the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries.