Berlin hosted Congress of European Azerbaijanis

The fourth meeting of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis was held yesterday in Berlin. The meeting brings together chief of the socio-political department of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov, parliamentarians, representatives of Azerbaijani communities as well as Diaspora organizations of other nations.

President of the Congress Bashar Komur delivered a report at the event highlighting the progress made since the 3rd meeting. He said over this period the process of establishment of new Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in European countries continued. Komur added considerable changes happened in activities of Azerbaijani associations and circles operating in European countries.

The president of the Congress noted the Azerbaijani government highly appreciates the activity of associations in Europe to protect national interests of the Azerbaijani people and state.
Komur pointed out Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in Europe put special emphasis in their activities on delivering the Azerbaijani realities to the world community, particularly Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, 20 January tragedy, Khojaly genocide, 31 March – Day of genocide of Azerbaijanis.

The president also spoke of the events held by Diaspora organizations to popularize Azerbaijan`s culture. He underlined the active role of Azerbaijanis living in Europe in the historical victory of Azerbaijan in Evrovision-2011 song contest held in Düsseldorf.

Komur also said various events were held to raise public and political activity of Azerbaijanis living in European countries and protect their rights and freedoms. He said active participation of Azerbaijani youngsters living in Europe in protection of Azerbaijan`s interests, national and spiritual values is one of the priorities of the country.

Other representatives at the meeting spoke of the activity of the Congress. The event participants saw a documentary entitled “Our strength is in our unity”. Then, a book devoted to results of the 3rd Congress of World Azerbaijanis was presented.

A Consultation Council of Honorary Presidents of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis is expected to be set up in the 4th meeting.

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The fourth meeting of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis was held yesterday in Berlin. Chief of the socio-political department of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov addressed the event.

Hasanov said the Azerbaijani government keeps a close watch on the activity of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis. He noted the Congress was founded in 2004 and over the past years saw three presidents, adding all of them worked successfully.

Hasanov pointed out national leader Heydar Aliyev started building up Azerbaijani Diaspora, declaring the ideology of Azerbaijanism as the main goal. He added Azerbaijan`s targets grew even more in comparison with those years. Hasanov wished successes to Azerbaijan`s Diaspora organizations, including the Congress of European Azerbaijanis.

Hasanov said President Ilham Aliyev relies on Azerbaijanis living in the whole world and also supports them. He said Azerbaijan`s recent accomplishments, increasing prestige across the world irritate its enemies and these forces are involved in anti-Azerbaijan activity. Hasanov said Diaspora organizations bear great responsibility to neutralize the activity of these forces and to deliver the realities of the country to the world as they are.

Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov praised the work done by the Congress of European Azerbaijanis over the past 8 year years.

Ibrahimov said the State Committee for Work with Diaspora would continue its support for the new management of the Congress.

Also addressed the event were Azerbaijani ambassador to Germany Parviz Shahbazov, president of the Congress of Belarus Azerbaijanis Natig Bag?rov, head of the Coordination Center of German Azerbaijanis Samira Patzer Ismayilova, chairman of the Culture Center of Georgian Azerbaijanis Fazil Hasanov, president of the Congress of Benelux Azerbaijanis Sahil Gasimov, chairman of TADEF Bilal Dundar and others. They praised the fact that the activity of the Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations had strengthened in European countries.

Then a resolution of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis, message of representatives of the fourth meeting of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis to President Ilham Aliyev and other documents were adopted.

Head of the Coordination Center of German Azerbaijanis Samira Patzer Ismayilova was elected president of the Congress of European Azerbaijanis. President of the Congress of Benelux Azerbaijanis Sahil Gasimov and chairman of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Circles Federation Bilal Dundar were elected first vice-presidents of the Congress.

President of the Congress of Belarus Azerbaijanis Natig Bag?rov, chairman of the Sweden-Azerbaijan Federation Sattar Sevgin, member of the Estonian parliament and co-chair of the Baku club Eldar Afandiyev, chairman of the All-Russian Congress of Azerbaijanis in Moscow Ilgar Hajiyev were elected vice-presidents of the Congress.