On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Maher Nikola Canawati, received the Diplomatic Attaché at the Representation of the Russian Federation to the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Viktor Kozmiak, accompanied by Mr. Yuri Romachuk, Counselor of the Russian Church to the Palestinian National Authority.
During the meeting, Kozmiak delivered an official letter to the Mayor from His Excellency Dr. Gosha Boyachev, Representative of the Russian Federation to the Palestinian National Authority, congratulating him on assuming the position of Mayor of Bethlehem.
In his letter, Boyachev expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success to the new Mayor, wishing him good health and well-being. He also emphasized the Russian side’s continued commitment to strengthening cooperation between the Palestinian and Russian peoples.
For his part, Canawati expressed his deep appreciation for this generous gesture, wishing the Russian representative safety and success, and praising the deep relations that bind the city of Bethlehem and its various institutions to the Russian side. He also welcomed expanding cooperation in various fields to serve the interests of the city and its people.
At the end of the meeting, Canawati thanked the Russian government for its steadfast and supportive stance on the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of strengthening the twinning relations between the Bethlehem Municipality and the Russian cities of St. Petersburg, Vladimir, and Suzdal.