Mehriban Aliyeva: "Women have always supported dialogue"

Kazakh mass medias report that about 400 women, representing 60 countries, including from Kazakhstan, gathered in the capital of Azerbaijan to exchange views on this issue. The event was organized by Heydar Aliyev's foundation, headed by the first lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva.

All roads lead to Baku

The Baku forum was held under support of such international organizations, as UNESCO and ISESCO (Islamic organization for education, science and culture). Women from Europe, Africa, North and South America, Middle and South-Eastern Asia and, of course, the Caucasus arrived for participation in it. The first ladies of Poland, South African Republic, Latvia, Angola, Argentine and Texas (US) were among high guests.

One of the best palaces of the Azerbaijani capital Gulistan hosted the event. The forum was opened by Mehriban Aliyeva, president of Heydar Aliyev's foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill ambassador, deputy of Azerbaijani Parliament and the first lady of the country.

- We must consider the problem of inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue through women's eyes. Women have always supported dialogue. Where there a women, there is love, respect, sincerity and no place for hatred and conflicts", announced she.

Mehriban Aliyeva

By the way, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke perfect English. The first lady of Azerbaijan is a real Eastern beauty and at the same time she embodies elegance and intelligence, much spoken of by most world mass medias. It is no secret that former president of France Jeak Chiraque had a special attitude towards her stricken with her beauty and intellect.

But beauty is not the only merit of the first lady of Azerbaijan. Mehriban khanum's father, famous academician Arif Pashayev is a rector of National Aviation Academy and her uncle is famous physician of the republic Hafiz Pashayev. He had long been Azerbaijan's ambassador to the United States. Presently, he is deputy Foreign Minister and rector of the diplomatic academy under the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan. She grew up in the intelligent environment. She speaks five languages fluently.

They say that Mehriban Aliyeva may become the leader of the country after the second term of her husband Ilham Aliyev's presidency ends. If this happens, it will become a precedent in the CIS area, though not the first case in the Islamic world.

By the way, the issue whether a woman may become a President today was indirectly touched upon during the forum. One of the participants during the discussions said with regret that the society, particularly, men are not ready yet to yield leadership to women.

- How otherwise can the fact of Hillary Clinton's dropping out the presidential racing in the US be explained? - said one of the forum participants with resentment this time.

I can not judge the reasons of Hillary Clinton's defeat, but I can assure you that Mehriban Aliyeva has chances to win. While speaking with Baku residents beyond the forum, I revealed that the first lady is beloved and supported by the whole Azerbaijani people. Her rating is quite high here.

Upon completion of the forum, OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoghlu offered to the first lady of Azerbaijan to become the OIC goodwill ambassador on humanitarian issues. Thus, this woman has received recognition not only in her country, but also abroad.

Kazakhstan - a secular state

The discussed issues did not limit with purely gender problems and covered such topics as "National consciousness as a shield against transformation of people into "particles of globalization". Members of the Kazakh delegation took an active part in the forum. Speech of Gulnara Abdikalikova, adviser to the Kazakh President and chairman of the National Commission on women affairs and gender policy under the head of state, was brave enough. It was rewarded with approving applauds of all female representatives of eastern countries.

- Western people demonstrate civilization snobbery towards representatives of other cultures, thus restricting themselves, said she, and this statement arose fierce debates, when the topic "East and West: how we perceive each other" was discussed.

She reminded that Kazakh women differed from other eastern women with greater independence and freedom, frequently taking a direct part in making crucial decisions of the people. Kazakh steppe brought up not only wise leaders and brave men. The history of Kazakh people had seven queens of whom the most legendary was Tomiris. In this sense, Kazakhstan's experience can only be interesting for the modern society.

It was decided by results of the forum to support Baku initiative on strengthening role of women in the dialogue between cultures and to hold the next meeting in the Azerbaijani capital in 2010.