Today.Az » Politics » Azerbaijan’s First Lady attends event on 20th anniversary of restoration of Azerbaijan`s independence in Rome - UPDATE - PHOTOS
03 December 2011 [13:26] - Today.Az
A ceremony to mark the 20th
anniversary of restoration of Azerbaijan`s independence was held in Rome, Italy
yesterday. The event was attended by
Azerbaijan`s First Lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban
Aliyeva and vice-president of the Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva. The ceremony was
co-organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan`s Embassy in Italy.
Before the ceremony, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva met secretary of state of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy Mrs. Marta Dassu. Azerbaijan`s First Lady
expressed satisfaction with the fact that Rome hosts a ceremony to mark the
20th anniversary of restoration of her country. Mrs. Aliyeva praised the
rapidly developing relationship between Azerbaijan
and Italy.
The First Lady noted her purpose was to popularize Azerbaijan`s cultural
heritage across the world. She also added such meetings would give impetus to
development of relations
Mrs. Aliyeva recalled her meeting with Italy`s president Giorgio Napolitano,
saying they discussed some important issues. She also pointed out Azerbaijan and Italy were bound by close friendly
relationship. Mrs. Aliyeva also added bilateral relations would expand even
more.
Mrs. Marta Dassu expressed satisfaction with the fact that in her new post she
held her first meeting with Azerbaijan`s First Lady. She said Azerbaijan and Italy should have close relations
in all spheres. Mrs. Dassu also underscored the necessity of expansion of
economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. She also
underlined the importance of the projects being implemented by the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation. *****
Following the meeting,
Mehriban Aliyeva and Marta Dassu viewed an exhibition of Azerbaijani national
carpets. The exhibition of unique Azerbaijani carpets, particularly those from Garabagh, left a deep impression on visitors.
The visitors also viewed works presented in the Maiden Tower Festival,
held for the second consecutive year, and reflecting the impressions of
artists from different countries on Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva also viewed manuscripts in the Apostolic Library restored involving Azerbaijani scholars as well.
***** 02.12.11
Azerbaijan`s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Mehriban Aliyeva has met with the President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano. Mrs. Aliyeva conveyed greetings to the Italian President from the
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. First Lady hailed development of
Azerbaijan-Italy relations and pointed out importance of expanding
cooperation in cultural sphere. For this purpose a number of events as
well as Week of Azerbaijani culture will be held in Italy. Giorgio Napolitano asked Mrs. Aliyeva to pass on his best wishes to the
Azerbaijani President. Napolitano stressed that Rome`s hosting a
ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of restoration of
Azerbaijan`s independence would contribute to further boosting cultural
ties. He underlined existence of ‘good political and economic relations’
between Azerbaijan and Italy. Italian President said he was well aware of the activity of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Azerbaijan`s First Lady on behalf of the Azerbaijani President invited
Giorgio Napolitano to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan.
***** 01.12.11
Azerbaijan`s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with the spouse of Italy`s Prime Minister Elsa Monti as part of her visit to Italy. In the meeting, the sides discussed joint cultural projects and agreed on student and teacher exchange between universities of the two countries. They stressed importance of teaching Azerbaijani language and culture in Italy, and Italian language in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan`s First Lady invited Monti to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. Then, spouse of Italy`s Prime Minister briefed Mrs. Aliyeva on the history of Italian Government`s Villa Pamphili official receptions house. Elsa Monti hosted a reception in honor of Azerbaijan`s First Lady. Mehriban Aliyeva and Elsa Monti posed for photographs.
*****
30.11.11
First Lady of Azerbaijan,
President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva attended a ceremony
dedicated to the 20th anniversary of restoration of Azerbaijan`s independence
in Vatican yesterday as part of her visit to Italy.
Prior to the ceremony Mrs. Aliyeva met with President of the Vatican`s Council
for Culture Gianfranco Ravasi. Recalling his visit to Azerbaijan and acquaintance with Heydar Aliyev
Foundation Ravasi highlighted the importance of the project realized by Azerbaijan in
the Vatican Apostolic Library. The project allowed restoring 15 out of 40
manuscripts on Azerbaijan.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan hailed close cooperation between the sides. She
praised Vatican`s role in the joint projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation and expressed confidence on further expansion of these ties.
The sides exchanged keepsakes. The events were held with support of the
Azerbaijani embassy in Vatican
and initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
*****
Following the meeting
Azerbaijan`s First Lady and President of the Vatican`s Council for Culture
familiarized themselves with the exhibition featuring photos and videos of
Baku`s ancient and current look, cultural monuments, Azerbaijan`s rich cultural
heritage. Ravasi was also informed on Azerbaijani carpets.
The guests also viewed works presented in the International Arts Festival "Giz
Galasi" (Maiden`s Tower). Mrs.
Aliyeva got acquainted with manuscripts restored with participation of Azerbaijani
scientists in the Apostolic Library. The Italian version of the “Azerbaijan”
publication was also presented as part of the exhibition.
*****
In the opening of the
ceremony President of the Vatican`s Council for Culture Gianfranco Ravasi
underlined that Azerbaijan is a country paying great attention to intercultural
dialogue. He described Azerbaijan
as a tolerant country and stressed that cooperation between Heydar Aliyev
Foundation and Vatican
is ‘useful’. Ravasi highly valued Mrs. Aliyeva`s contributions to
popularization of country`s culture.
Addressing the event, Azerbaijan`s First Lady welcomed the participants and
spoke of country`s achievements over the past 20 years. She briefed the
attendees on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and pointed out that
the conflict resulted in displacement of over one million Azerbaijanis and
destruction of historical and cultural monuments in Karabakh. According to her,
Azerbaijan
still favours peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of norms of
international law. Aliyeva underlined that Azerbaijan became the most active
initiator and participant of large-scale regional projects. She recalled the
visit of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan
in 2002.
***** The Gara Garayev
Azerbaijan State Chamber orchestra gave a concert as part of the event.
***** 29.11.11
First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation as part
of her visit to Italy on Tuesday met with Tarcisio Bertone, Cardinal of
the Roman Catholic Church, currently serving as Cardinal Secretary of
State and Camerlengo.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone emphasized that relations of friendship and
cooperation between the two countries are developing and underlined the
increasing role of Azerbaijan in intercultural dialogue platform.
From this point of view the International Humanitarian Forum which was
held in Azerbaijan this year and involved representatives of the Holy
See, gains special importance, Tarcisio Bertone said. Cardinal Secretary of State praised the conditions created for the Catholic community in Azerbaijan.
Stressing the importance of projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation in conjunction with the State of the Vatican, Mehriban
Aliyeva expressed confidence that cooperation will continue.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan asked Tarcisio Bertone to pass on President
Ilham Aliyev’s greetings to Pope Benedict Sixteenth and on behalf of
the Azerbaijani President invited the Pope to visit Azerbaijan.
*****
Azerbaijan`s first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met yesterday in Vatican Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue of Vatican.
It was noted during the meeting that this year Azerbaijan marks the 20th anniversary of its independence. They said Azerbaijan was a bridge between West and East, and representatives of all religions co-exist peacefully in the country. They noted Azerbaijan was known in the world as a place of tolerance.
The role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was stressed in successful development of relationship between Azerbaijan and Vatican. They also underlined the importance of establishment of cooperation between the Foundation and Vatican library. The sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest.
/AzerTAc/
Azerbaijan`s First Lady attends celebrative events to mark Azerbaijan`s regaining its independence in Italy
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