Mingachevir, Afula become twin towns

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan’s industrial city of Mingachevir and the Israeli town of Afula have become sister cities.

The charter on friendship cooperation was inked by Niyazi Bayramov, the head of the Mingachevir City Executive Power and of Afula’s mayor-in-charge Mikhail Barkan.

The agreement was signed during the visit of the Israeli delegation to Mingachevir on July 9.

“I am sure that this is just the beginning and soon other cities of our countries will also tie such friendly relations,” Director General of the International Association Israel-Azerbaijan "Aziz" Lev Spivak, who attended the event, said.

“This cooperation was achieved thanks to enormous work done by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Foreign Ministries of both countries and the Israel Embassy in Azerbaijan”

During the visit, the delegation visited the legendary Mingachevir HPP with an installed capacity of 420 megawatts. They also visited city hospital, renovated a year ago and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as the Polytechnic University, and the Palace of Youth.

The young city of Mingachevir was founded in the 1940-50s. It is the fourth largest city in Azerbaijan by population.

Today Mingachevir attracts a lot of local and foreign tourists. The city has modern buildings with interesting architecture including a big new mosque. As of particular interest of city guests are places near Kura with good restaurants and tea houses. Close to the city is an artificial lake with small beach.

Despite the fact that Mingachevir is a young city, archeological excavations that took place here have shown that the earliest human settlements at this place existed in the VI century BC – III century BC.

Mingachevir is one of the centers of science and education in the country. The city's one of the most famous attractions is the archaeological historical and cultural complex of the ancient city Sudagylan.

The Kura river, on the banks of which the city is located, is also home to Azerbaijani Rowing sport. The “Kur” Sport and Rowing Center is the national Olympic training center. The facility stands at a perfect location and it has attracted athletes from all over the world. The center provides a grand stand for 1,274 spectaculars.

Afula is a small city located in the Jezreel valley in Israel. Growth in Afula continues today with emphasis on providing quality services in the areas of education, culture, sports, social, immigrant absorption, building and development, employment, commerce and industry, welfare, health and religious services.

The city actively promotes and supports vital economic investment projects for the development and welfare of its citizens.