Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan's First Lady, head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, has held meetings with participants of the two-day International Humanitarian Forum, which started in Baku on Thursday.

Bulgaria's former president Georgi Parvanov said in a meeting with the First Lady that there has always been useful dialogue between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan.

The Bulgarian ex-president expressed confidence that this dialogue will be continued in the future.

Aliyeva stressed the role of cooperation in the field of humanitarian assistance in the present-day world.

In the Azerbaijani First Lady's meeting with former President of Bulgaria Petar Stoyanov, prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, implementation of joint projects of youth organizations, arranging cultural events and other issues were discussed.

The First Lady, who acts as UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, also met with a delegation led by Katalin Bogyay, President of the General Conference of UNESCO.

Aliyeva said UNESCO is one of the authoritative world organizations and noted the role of UNESCO in the context of the issues the International Humanitarian Forum is focusing on in Baku.

"There are many international organizations in the world. They are engaged in numerous areas. Specificity of UNESCO is that it is engaged in the priority fields -- education, science, and culture," Aliyeva underlined.

According to her, Azerbaijan will expand its cooperation with the United Nations' cultural agency.

"Azerbaijan, as a country of different religions co-existing in peace and mutual respect, stands ready to be a model for world countries," the First Lady said. "I am hopeful that the decisions to be accepted will be a step forward in this context and make a weighty contribution to the intercultural dialogue," Aliyeva said.

Katalin Bogyay, in turn, said the Baku forum would certainly be fruitful.

The First Lady also met with President of the Russian Academy of Arts, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Zurab Tsereteli and discussed the activity of UNESCO goodwill ambassadors.