Let people stand in opposition, but not against their country, their people, their morals or their beliefs.
Heydar Aliyev
Meetings at the French National Assembly and Senate
A group of deputies led by Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Chairperson of the Working Group of the Milli Majlis for Azerbaijan-France Interparliamentary Relations Mehriban Aliyeva has been on a visit to Paris.
On May 21, Mehriban Aliyeva visited the National Assembly of France.
Mehriban Aliyeva was greeted by Chairman of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone.
Claude Bartolone expressed his pleasure for the meeting with Mehriban Aliyeva and said this visit would play a significant role in strengthening the relations between the parliaments. Expressing satisfaction with the high level of relations in political, economic, cultural and other spheres between Azerbaijan and France, Claude Bartolone emphasized the support of Mehriban Aliyeva to the construction of a French lycée.
Mehriban Aliyeva noted that bilateral relations between the countries are at the highest level and developing in all spheres, and talked of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict and its outcomes.
Mentioning the cultural events being held in France in connection with our country, Mehriban Aliyeva said the Heydar Aliyev Foundation continues this project.
Then the delegation led by Mehriban Aliyeva met with Chairperson of the France-Azerbaijan Friendship Group of the National Assembly of France.
Necessity of developing relations between our countries’ legislative bodies further and strengthening the activity of the working group and expansion of cooperation within international organizations were underlined.
On the same day, a dinner-party was arranged by the Azerbaijani side at the Cultural Centre of Azerbaijan for the French delegation.
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Mehriban Aliyeva met with Chairperson of the French National Assembly’s European Affairs Committee Danielle Auroi, May 23.
Exchange of views on the relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union was held at the meeting. Danielle Auroi brought to attention that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, including France, is at the highest level and cooperation develops in all spheres. She highly appreciated the perspectives of cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan.
Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that cooperation with European organizations is a high-priority matter in our country’s foreign policy. Noting that Azerbaijan actively participated in the “Eastern Partnership” program of the European Union and energy projects, Mehriban Aliyeva touched upon also the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict.
At the meeting, exchange of views was also held on other issues.
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A business dinner was given by head of the France-Caucasus Friendship Group Ambroise Dupont in honour of the delegation led by Mehriban Aliyeva.
Touching upon the significance of ties between the parliaments, Ambroise Dupont emphasized the importance of extending the cooperation between the friendship groups further. He highly appreciated the events held in France to promote the Azerbaijani culture.
Mehriban Aliyeva too noted that such meetings were of special importance in terms of developing cooperation between the legislative bodies of our countries, and said projects promoting the Azerbaijani culture in France would continue.
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Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of the French Senate Jean-Pierre Bell, May 23.
Jean-Pierre Bell noted the exclusive role of Mehriban Aliyeva in the development of relations between France and Azerbaijan. Calling her a true friend of France, Jean-Pierre Bell thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for the promotion of the French culture in Azerbaijan. The President of the French Senate underlined that cooperation between our countries developed in all spheres, and said parliamentary diplomacy was important in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict.
Mehriban Aliyeva highly appreciated the endeavours by France towards settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict by maintaining Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Expressing confidence that cooperation between the parliaments will develop further, Mehriban Aliyeva noted the number of friends of Azerbaijan in the French Senate would increase.
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Mehriban Aliyeva met with Minister of France for Francophony Matters Yamina Benguigui, May 23.
Yamina Benguigui said the French Government has known Mehriban Aliyeva as a friend of this country, and said she welcomes the events held by her to promote the Azerbaijani culture in the world, including France. Saying the project “Cultural Treasures of Azerbaijan – the Pearl of the Caucasus” being implemented in Paris and other cities of the country following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative was successful from this standpoint, Yamina Benguigui thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for promotion of the French culture and language in Azerbaijan, including establishment of a French lycée in Baku.
Mehriban Aliyeva noted that France was an important partner for Azerbaijan, relations between our countries developed in political, economic and cultural spheres, and said projects being implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation towards promoting Azerbaijan in France would continue and expressed confidence that construction of the French lycée in Baku will be completed successfully.
Then a dinner was given in honour of Mehriban Aliyeva on behalf of Yamina Benguigui.
