Azerbaijan’s First Lady attends event on 20th anniversary of restoration of Azerbaijan`s independence in Rome - UPDATE - PHOTOS

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.

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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.

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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. 
 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Gara Garayev Azerbaijan State Chamber orchestra gave a concert as part of the event.

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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.

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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/