Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

French President Francois Hollande started his official visit to Azerbaijan on May 11.

President Hollande was welcomed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan's First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.

As part of the visit Hollande, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva observed the construction of the French Lyceum in Baku.

President Aliyev and his French counterpart made speeches at the event.

President Aliyev said Azerbaijan and France have been closely cooperating for over 20 years, and this cooperation is multilateral, covers various areas and strengthens each day.

President Aliyev sincerely welcomed Francois Hollande in Azerbaijan, noting that it is his first visit to Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani president expressed confidence that President Hollande's official visit to Azerbaijan will be an important step in the development of friendly ties between the two countries, thus giving a new impetus to the development of these relations.

"We have very close political ties, and your official visit confirms this," President Aliyev said. "Political dialogue and an exchange of views on various topics are being constantly conducted, and we successfully cooperate within international organizations. In short, the high level of our political relations also positively affects all other areas."

He went on to add that a business forum will be held tomorrow to give a new impetus to the work to be undertaken in the economic sphere.

President Aliyev said he was pleased that a large delegation of businessmen arrived in Azerbaijan from France together with President Hollande.

"I am sure the business forum will have very good results. Because the trade ties between the two countries are strengthening, and, as you know, there are over 50 French companies working in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, as well as in education, is developing - hundreds of representatives of Azerbaijani youth are studying at French universities, and this process continues," the president said.

He stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great significance to the development of education, as thousands of representatives of Azerbaijani youth receive state-funded education at the world's leading universities through the state line.

He also said that the commencement of the French president's visit to Azerbaijan with a visit to the French Lyceum clearly proves that the French leader also pays great attention to this area.

"That is, our goals here coincide, and I am sure the children who will be educated at this lyceum will even more strengthen the French-Azerbaijani relations in the future. French children will study here in their mother tongue, they will be linked to their motherland, while Azerbaijani children will perfectly master the French language, and at the same time become familiar with France's ancient history and rich culture," President Aliyev added.

The Azerbaijani president stressed that France has made an indispensable contribution to the world culture, science, art and architecture.

"World culture cannot be imagined without France. Our children, who will receive education here, will be closely linked to each other, they will become friends, and I am sure that they will retain these ties in the future when they grow up. Thus the younger generation grows up with respect and love towards each other, and this will further strengthen our friendship," the Azerbaijani president said.

President Aliyev said the French Lyceum in Baku is not just a new educational institution.

"The lyceum will become the center of the French-Azerbaijani friendship, and I am confident that the children here will be provided with a high level education," he said.

The president went on to add that Azerbaijan and France work on various projects in the humanitarian sphere.

"We are very pleased that Azerbaijani side also participates in the projects carried out in Paris, Versailles, Strasbourg, and that Azerbaijani side also took part in the work carried out at the Louvre. This even more strengthens our ties. At the same time, numerous events related to Azerbaijan, culture days, exhibitions, concerts were held in recent years in various French cities, the relations between the countries' cities are also very rich and fruitful," the Azerbaijani president stressed.

He went on to add that Azerbaijani cultural center was opened two years ago in the center of Paris, near the Eiffel Tower.

"This is a small part of Azerbaijan in France, just like this school is the second area, the second French territory besides the embassy. The creation of this school also expresses our friendship, because it became possible thanks to the joint efforts, and both sides' sincere initiatives. The selection of this place also has a very big sense, because once during the Soviet period there was an industrial zone in this territory, and Baku's beautification in the recent years, and the projects on transferring the industrial zones to the outskirts of the city are carried out exactly in this zone," President Aliyev said.

The president underscored that the creation of a new school, the French Lyceum here is also symbolic, because the Paris Block is being created behind the lyceum as part of the 'White City' project.

"The White City is in fact a city within a city. It is being created using the modern urban planning methods and the Parisian houses, Parisian Block, the French Lyceum, the Caspian Sea, the Baku Boulevard - this area is being transformed into a beautiful city center," President Aliyev said.

He also expressed confidence that the lovely atmosphere, the atmosphere of friendship existing here will more closely unite the two peoples.

In his speech Hollande said France will try to make a contribution to ensure that the education at the French Lyceum in Baku is even more successful.

President Hollande said the lyceum will admit French youth, the youth of other countries, including Azerbaijani students.

The French president thanked Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva for their investments in this school and in this block.

"This school will admit over 350 students," Hollande said.

He went on to add that there are many French companies in Azerbaijan and their managers are accompanying him during this visit.

"Our goal is to support the development of Azerbaijani economy, in particular the energy sector. France is also ready to support Azerbaijan's development in other areas," he stressed.

Hollande said Baku is the biggest city in the Caucasus with the largest amount of population, and there have been great changes in this city.

"Baku will take place among the most prestigious great cities of the world soon, and France would like to be close to Azerbaijan, and to support it in the implementation of these projects," President Hollande said. "In short, France is ready to provide its support for Baku and other Azerbaijani cities to become model cities in all areas in terms of sustainable development. This is our biggest goal in the relations established between our countries."

"We are always ready to admit Azerbaijani students to study in France. Even a new hostel maybe built in Paris for students, so that it will be possible to receive more Azerbaijani students there. Both countries can provide many students with scholarships, so that they will be really able to continue their studies. A very good job has been done until today," President Hollande said.

He also stressed that Azerbaijan is a country with ancient history.

"There is a very high level of economic development in Azerbaijan. I hope to once again visit Azerbaijan. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the opening of this lyceum, and I am proud for this lyceum," President Hollande said in conclusion.

Also, President Hollande met French citizens in Baku and said France will do everything in its power to find a peaceful solution to the current conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"I come to Azerbaijan as part of a visit to the Caucasus. I am also going to visit Armenia and Georgia", Hollande said.

The French president explained that the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains quite tense at the moment.

"The situation remains tense, and there have been tens of thousands of deaths, and recently there have been some incidents as well. So, France will do everything it possibly can in its capacity as co chair of the Minsk Group to assist Azerbaijan and Armenia to find a peaceful solution," the French president said.

As part of the visit to Baku, President Aliyev and President Hollande went on a walkabout in the Icherisheher state historical and architectural reserve.

After reviewing Icherisheher, the presidents of the two countries had dinner together.

On May 12, President Hollande, was officially welcomed in Azerbaijan.