Another event was held within the framework of the project “Cultural Values of Azerbaijan – the Pearl of Caucasus” in the city of Romorantin-Lanthenay of France
Another event was held, with support from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, within the framework of the project “Cultural Values of Azerbaijan – the Pearl of Caucasus” in the city of Romorantin-Lanthenay of France, November 10.
Opening the exhibition organized at “Piramide” hall in the city of Romorantin-Lanthenay, city Mayor Jeanny Lorgeoux expressed his feelings of gratitude for holding such an event devoted to Azerbaijan in this city of France, thanked President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva for hospitality shown towards them while they were on a visit to Baku with a group of senators, and shared with pleasant impressions of our country.
Saying that France was interested in extending the geography of familiarization with Azerbaijan, the Mayor said although Azerbaijani community in France is in minority, they received certain idea about our country with very old history and that the French attach special importance to familiarization with Azerbaijan.
Senator Jeanny Lorgeoux said that successfully continuing the internal and foreign policy initiated by national leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev has been making efforts, together with his team, aimed at modernizing and developing the whole country starting with Baku. He said: ”I would like to note that Azerbaijan is a country with great tolerance in a number of spheres, including religion. Azerbaijan’s tolerance towards all religions, including to the Jewish religion, can be an example for other countries. The Jewish people have completely integrated with Azerbaijanis and representatives of other nations-minorities.
Emphasizing Azerbaijan’s difficult times after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mayor J. Lorgeoux informed that 20 percent of our country’s territory was occupied by Armenians, Daghlyg Garabagh and adjoining districts are still under Armenian occupation, over 1 million Azerbaijanis have been forced out of their lands and forced to live as refugees and internally displaced people and that this has created a great humanitarian problem for the whole country.
Saying that with ancient and rich history, Azerbaijan located in a strategic place, on the great Silk Way, the Mayor talked of our country’s rapid development, establishment of good relations with neighbouring states Iran and Russia from strategic standpoint, underlined that President of Azerbaijan has been paying special attention to the development of friendly relations with France and cooperation in other spheres, the senator said he was hopeful the exhibition and concert would give local residents a comprehensive idea of the country, and emphasized that just culture has bridged relations between nations.
Ambassador Elchin Amirbeyov thanked the Mayor for pleasant words about our country, said Azerbaijan was interested in developing bilateral relations between the two countries, noted the celebration of the 20th anniversary of relations between the two countries, France being the second country to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence and partner in the sphere of trade, talked of operation of French companies such as “Total”, “Gas de France”, “Alstom”, “Oreal” and others in Azerbaijan and said relations in the diplomatic sphere were good.
Recalling the visit by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Azerbaijan, E. Amirbeyov then noted the meeting of current President Francois Hollande with President Ilham Aliyev at the Elyse Palace, and said the two presidents had held discussions on development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Emphasizing significance of developing friendly relations between the nations within humanitarian framework, the Ambassador said the exhibition and concert devoted to Azerbaijan would, after Paris, be held in the cities of Reims, Châlons-en-Champagne, Niort, Cognac and, finally, in Romorantin-Lanthenay.
Elchin Amirbeyov expressed confidence that this event would play a significant role in nations’ becoming closer and development of friendly relations.
Underlining that Azerbaijan was a country with rich history, the Ambassador informed that our republic located at the crossroad of Asia and Europe and was rich in hydrocarbon resources, which played a significant role in ensuring Europe’s energy security, transportation of Caspian energy resources to Europe, our culture and history had deeper and older roots than our subsoil resources, and thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which has been making great contribution to promotion of Azerbaijan in France.
Deputy prefect of Romorantin-Lanthenay Alain Gueydan noted in his speech that such events, in addition to enabling the exchange in the sphere of culture between Europe and Asia, were of significance in terms of receiving comprehensive information about a republic of Caucasus like Azerbaijan with rich history and subsoil resources, by establishing relations between nations, and that Azerbaijan not only is rich in culture, but also is economically rich.
City residents and guests familiarized themselves with exhibits reflecting rich cultural heritage of our country, took interest in the art of carpet making, samples of copper and potter’s arts.
Performances by Azerbaijan’s “Khary Bulbul” instrumental ensemble and the State Dance Group headed by Honoured Artist Zahir Gasymov aroused great interest in French observers.
At the end of the concert, Mayor Jeanny Lorgeoux thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the concert, which greatly impressed local residents. Then he was photographed with members of the ensemble.
