Azernews.Az

The 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union was marked in a solemn ceremony in Berlin on Thursday joined by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

The event was organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by Mehriban Aliyeva, and the Azerbaijani embassy in Germany, the state news agency AzerTAc reported.

Aliyeva first arrived in the German Historical Museum where she met with German First Lady Bettina Wulff.

Wulff, who joined the event devoted to Azerbaijan’s independence, thanked the Azerbaijani first lady for selecting Berlin as its venue.

Aliyeva stressed the importance of the event for the promotion of Azerbaijani culture in Germany.

Further, she presented a 50,000 euro cheque for the fundraising campaign for restoration of the Berlin Castle, which was demolished and burned down during World War II.

After the meeting, the first ladies of Azerbaijan and Germany attended an exhibition displaying books, booklets and other publications on various topics regarding Azerbaijan released with Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s support.

A publication titled "Azerbaijan", published in German, was presented at the event.

Aliyeva and Wulff toured an exhibition featuring Azerbaijani state-of-the-art carpets. The exhibition covered all directions of Azerbaijan’s many century-long carpet-weaving tradition, featuring masterpieces brought from across the country.

Samples of carpet-making in Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region under Armenian occupation, once again showed that Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s indigenous land.

Opening the solemn ceremony, well-known German TV host Jens Riewa comprehensively briefed attendees about Azerbaijan and its cultural values.

The German first lady pointed out in her speech the high level of German-Azerbaijani relations. Wulff said cultural relations are successfully developing, noting that Days of Azerbaijan were held in Germany in 2008, while Azerbaijan hosted the German Week in 2010.

"Cultural cooperation between our countries has special importance," Wulff said.

She spoke highly about the Azerbaijani exhibition that opened in Berlin Thursday, adding that it is significant in terms of propagating abundant cultural values that the South Caucasus republic possesses.

Addressing the event, Mehriban Aliyeva said its goal was to tell the world community of the road covered by Azerbaijan as well as present-day realities and successes made in its post-independence history.

"We have achieved tremendous success in the past 20 years," Aliyeva said. "Having built an absolutely new political and economic system, we are rampantly developing. Azerbaijan is the regional leader today, accounting for 75 percent of the overall South Caucasus economy. All large-scale projects are being implemented in the region with the participation and at the initiative of Azerbaijan."

Aliyeva noted that Azerbaijan has been among world leaders for economic growth in recent years. The European Union sees the country as its strategic partner on energy security.

"Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to supplying Europe with oil and gas," Aliyeva said.

According to the first lady, Azerbaijan is rapidly developing in all areas.

"[But] our biggest wealth is our cultural heritage -- the carpet-weaving school, fine arts, literature, music, historical and architectural monuments. Theaters and museums are being restored and new cultural centers being opened in the country today according to a special state program. [These] monuments are protected by the government."

Regarding Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union member states, Aliyeva said there is a special emphasis on the country’s relations with Germany, expressing hope that the event being held in Berlin would contribute to the strengthening of Azerbaijani-German friendship.

The event was followed by a spectacular concert conducted by well-known conductor Teymur Goychayev and presentation of Azerbaijani cuisine.