Azernews.Az

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand visited the Azerbaijani capital Baku last week to discuss ways of expanding cultural cooperation between the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev, hosting the delegation led by Mitterrand last Friday, noted successful development of the relations between Azerbaijan and France in a variety of fields, including culture.

Speaking of cultural events, the president said they are of great importance for rapid development of the relations. The exhibition being arranged in Baku will also serve to strengthening bilateral ties, Aliyev said. From this point of view, he added, Mitterrand`s visit will have a certain impact on the expansion of relations.

The exhibition of masterpieces of French fine art, called ``Pearls of France``, opened at the Baku Museum of Fine Arts with the participation of the French minister last Saturday.

An agreement to open the exhibition was reached last year during the Paris meeting between Azerbaijan`s First Lady, Heydar Aliyev Foundation President Mehriban Aliyeva and Minister Mitterrand. The exhibition will run two months.

During his meeting with President Aliyev, Mitterrand praised the efforts of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in the cultural field, reminding of the initiatives and presentations held to popularize Azerbaijan in France. Noting that the exhibition ``French art from Renaissance to present day`` is also initiated and supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mitterrand stressed the need for expanding cultural cooperation in a number of areas.

The Azerbaijani first lady met with the French culture minister as well. Aliyeva said that the ``Pearls of France`` exhibition, which features exhibits from well-known French museums, is ``a remarkable event in Azerbaijan`s cultural life``.

``I`m happy that alongside government agencies, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is also closely cooperating with France`s cultural bodies,`` the first lady said.

She hailed Mitterrand`s support for Azerbaijan in France.

Aliyeva said she was happy that in addition to Paris, events promoting Azerbaijani culture are being held in French regions, adding that several such functions will be arranged this year.

``And, of course, all these events and meetings are aimed at bringing the people of Azerbaijan and France closer to each other``.

The first lady also mentioned the ``Fly to Baku`` exhibition, which will be organized in Paris this April, and invited the French minister to attend the show.

Mitterrand recalled the Azerbaijani first lady`s visit to France last year. He said the meetings held during the visit contributed to ``the friendship between our countries``.

The minister praised the fact that culture is among key priorities for the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.