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Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva met with Vice-President of Bulgaria Margarita Popova, who is in Azerbaijan to attend the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum, Azertac reported.

Mrs. Aliyeva highlighted the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, saying these projects contribute to strengthening relations among countries.

The Azerbaijani first lady thanked for naming her an honorary citizen of the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo, and recalled her recent visit to the city.

Mehriban Aliyeva further highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan-Bulgaria bilateral relations in educational, cultural and other fields. She reaffirmed the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s readiness to support the implementation of projects in these areas.

Popova, in turn, said she was pleased to take part in the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

She hailed the relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, adding that joint projects contribute to the expansion of the bilateral ties.

Mrs. Aliyeva later met with State Secretary of Kazakhstan Gulshara Abdykalikova, who attends the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

The first lady said the issues on the agenda of the Forum are of global importance.

Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, noting that the two nations are bound together by fraternal ties.

Abdykalikova described the results of the referendum on amendments to the Constitution in Azerbaijan as a “big triumph”.

The Kazakh State Secretary praised relations between the two countries. She noted that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan cooperate and support each other within international organizations.

Mehriban Aliyeva further met with Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, who is in Azerbaijan to attend the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

Mehriban Aliyeva said she was glad to see Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri in Baku again, and thanked him for participating in the forum.

The first lady highlighted ISESCO-Azerbaijan cooperation. She noted the importance of joint projects as well as educational and cultural ties.

Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized Azerbaijan’s contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage in a number of countries.

Altwaijri thanked for the invitation to take part in the forum, saying it grew into a platform for discussing pressing global matters. He also reaffirmed ISESCO`s readiness for cooperation in preserving cultural heritage.

During the day, Mehriban Aliyeva met with a delegation led by second Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentine National Congress Patricia Gimenez, who visit Azerbaijan to attend the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

Mehriban Aliyeva said the forum, which aims to give a peaceful message, created good opportunities for its guests to get closely familiarized with Azerbaijan.

She hailed “friendly” ties between Azerbaijan and Argentina, adding that there was a huge potential for wider cooperation. Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence that Azerbaijan and Argentina will strengthen their relations in political, economic, cultural, and other fields.

The first lady said Azerbaijan has always strived for unity among different religions and nations. Mehriban Aliyeva expressed readiness of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to support joint projects to be implemented by the two countries.

Gimenez, in turn, said it was their first visit to Baku. She praised the importance of the forum as an international platform which brings together representatives of many countries as well as Nobel Prize laureates.

Patricia Gimenez said there were good opportunities for expansion of Azerbaijan-Argentina ties. She provided an insight into preparations for an Azerbaijan-Argentina mugham and tango festival, saying it will contribute to the bilateral cooperation.

Later, Mehriban Aliyeva met with a delegation led by head of Azerbaijan-Italy friendship group at the Italian Senate Mauro Maria Marino, who visit the country to attend the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

The first lady pointed to tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. She said Pope Francis will visit the country in a few days.

Mehriban Aliyeva said representatives of all religions join holiday celebrations in Azerbaijan, and praised this as a message against some stereotypes.

She hailed Azerbaijan-Italy relations, saying the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is closely involved in restoration and preservation of cultural monuments in Italy.

Members of the Italian delegation hailed the Foundation`s assistance, noting that such projects contribute to strengthening the bilateral relations.

They put forward an initiative to establish a sister city relationship between Azerbaijan’s Icherisheher and Italian Matera, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the initiative, saying such measures created good opportunities for establishing inter-regional ties.

Azerbaijan's first lady also met with Deputy Director-General of UNESCO Getachew Engida who is on a visit in the country to attend the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

The Azerbaijani first lady thanked Mr. Engida for accepting the invitation to attend the Forum.

Mrs. Aliyeva underlined that the implementation of the results of the Forum was one of the important issues on the agenda. President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva described the Baku International Humanitarian Forum as a wonderful format of international cooperation.

They discussed relations between Azerbaijan and UNESCO.

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