Mehriban Aliyeva meets with President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano

In the framework of her visit to Italy, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, December 2.

Mrs. Aliyeva conveyed greetings to the Italian President from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Calling Italy a friendly country for Azerbaijan, the First Lady said this is proven by the fact that Italy is one of the countries hosting the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence. She 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 in 2012.

Giorgio Napolitano asked Mrs. Mehriban 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.

The 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. The invitation was welcomed.   

Highly assessing the cultural projects performed by Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Italian President presented a memorial plague to the First Lady of Azerbaijan.