Azernews.Az

By Arslan Abbasov

A solemn ceremony was held in Paris last week to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and France.

Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the ceremony, which took place Saturday at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with support of the Azerbaijani embassy in France, the state news agency AzerTAc reported.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Aliyeva praised Azerbaijan-France relations.

Aliyeva also highlighted the ongoing development in Azerbaijan.

According to her, Azerbaijan has taken a worthy place on the world map and is developing rapidly.

Touching upon Azerbaijan's conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, Aliyeva said a solution of the problem was high on the Azerbaijan-France agenda.

France, along with the United States and Russia, co-chairs the OSCE Minsk Group, which is brokering talks on resolving the long-standing conflict.

The Azerbaijani first lady, who is president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, praised Azerbaijan-France economic cooperation.

"Trade turnover between the two countries is about 4 billion euros and today more than 30 French companies are operating in Azerbaijan," she noted.

Aliyeva said cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries was developing successfully. She expressed hope that bilateral relations would further develop.

Chief of Senate's France-Caucasus friendship group Ambruaz Dupont in his remarks said Azerbaijani-French relations have undergone a successful path of development over 20 years.

Dupont noted that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visits to France had opened a new page in the relationship between the two countries. He particularly underlined the successful activity of Mrs Aliyeva as head of the Azerbaijan-France friendship group in the Azerbaijani parliament.

According to Dupont, Aliyeva's endeavors in the cultural sphere are highly appreciated as well.

The Uzeyir Hajibayli Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra performed works of Azerbaijani and French composers at the event.

The ceremony brought together French officials, politicians, public figures and men of culture.

Cultural events

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has held a series of events aimed at promoting Azerbaijani culture across France.

The first events in the series, supported by Azerbaijan`s embassy in Paris, took place in Reims on October 19. First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the events.

Reims, a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies 129 km east-northeast of Paris.

Reims hosted the launch of "Cultural values of Azerbaijan, the pearl of the Caucasus" exhibition.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Azerbaijani first lady said the exhibition "will contribute to friendship and mutual respect between our countries".

"Azerbaijan has historically been the bridge between the East and the West. Azerbaijan was the first Muslim country in the East to grant women suffrage, to build a democratic republic, to open a school for girls, and establish opera and ballet," she added.

Reims' Mayor Adeline Hazan, who attended the opening ceremony, praised Azerbaijan-France cooperation.

"We have great respect for Azerbaijan's cultural richness," Hazan said.

The exhibition displayed ancient Azerbaijani historical and cultural exhibits, including carpets, national clothing and national musical instruments.

On the same day, the Reims Conservatory hosted a concert by the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra conducted by People's Artist Teymur Goychayev.

Mehriban Aliyeva met Mayor Hazan, to thank her for her support in the organization of the events relating to Azerbaijan in Reims. Mrs. Aliyeva told the Reims mayor that similar events would be arranged in other cities and regions of France as well.

Mrs. Hazan said the events to promote Azerbaijani culture drew great interest of Reims residents.

The Azerbaijani first lady toured several historical landmarks as part of her visit to Reims.