Visit to France
Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva paid a visit to France, September 3-8.
Meeting with French President Francois Hollande
On September 3, Mehriban Aliyeva met French President Francois Hollande at Élysée Palace.
Satisfaction was expressed at the meeting with the successful development of the bilateral relations between the two countries. French President Francois Hollande thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for her participation in the cultural events organized in Paris. Noting that France was interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan, Francois Hollande expressed confidence bilateral relations would successfully developed in the future too.
Mehriban Aliyeva underscored strategic partnership level of Azerbaijan-France relations, and that deepening of the relations formed primary direction of our country’s foreign policy. Touching upon the role of France as a co-chair of OSCE‘s Minsk Group in solution of Armenia-Azerbaijan Daghlyg Garabagh conflict, Mehriban Aliyeva expressed a hope France will continue its position in connection with this conflict’s settlement keeping our country’s territorial integrity and following international legal norms.
Expressing his country’s position with regard to solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Daghlyg Garabagh conflict by peaceful way, President Francois Hollande said France was interested in the settlement of this conflict.
Meeting with Secretary General of the French Republic’s Presidential Administration Jean Pierre Jouyet
On September 3, Mehriban Aliyeva met with Secretary General of the French Republic’s Presidential Administration Jean Pierre Jouyet.
Successful development of the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and France in various spheres was emphasized, and it was underscored that our relations had great potential. The significance of extending the cooperation between the regions of our countries was emphasized.
During the talks, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Daghlyg Garabagh conflict was touched upon. Highly appreciating the efforts made by France towards solving the conflict, Mehriban Aliyeva brought to attention the significance of the conflict’s being settled keeping our country’s territorial integrity.
General Secretary of the French Republic’s Presidential Administration Jean Pierre Jouyet too said he backed the Daghlyg Garabagh conflict’s being settled within the framework of international legal norms, and said France would, as a co-chairing country, continue its efforts towards solving the conflict.
Opening of the photo-exhibition “Azerbaijan – the country of tolerance” in Paris
On 3 September, a photo-exhibition called “Azerbaijan – the country of tolerance”, by world-renowned photographer Reza Deghati, was opened in Paris, with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Foundation’s Vice-president Leyla Aliyeva, France’s well-known public and cultural figures, representatives of influential press organs, and art-lovers of Paris attended the exhibition.
Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.
Photos made by famous photographer Reza Deghati in different years were displayed at the exhibition. These photos bring to the attention of visitors the lifestyles in different regions of Azerbaijan, our historical places, and modernity of our country, with its old history
Official opening of the “Azerbaijani Village” in Paris
On September 3, official opening of the “Azerbaijani Village”took place on Palais Royal Square before the Louvre Museum.
Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the ceremony.
Mayor of the 1st Arrondissement of Paris Jean Francois Legaret and Chairperson of the Friends of Azerbaijan in France Association Jean Francois Mansell delivered a speech at the ceremony.
In a village called “Azerbaijan in the heart of Paris”, our country’s history, culture, folk art, traditions and national cuisine were presented. The village has operated from August 29 to September 9.
Meeting with mayor of the 1st Arrondissement of Paris Jean Francois Legaret
On September 3, Mehriban Aliyeva met mayor of the 1st Arrondissement of Paris Jean Francois Legaret.
At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the development of relations between our countries and the significance of holding cultural events in the French capital associated with Azerbaijan was emphasized.
Exchange of opinions was held at the meeting concerning the perspectives of mutual ties.
Then Mehriban Aliyeva was given information about the history and architectural structure of the town hall building. It was informed that the town hall of the 1st Arrondissement was located in the centre of Paris and among the rare pearls of the French architecture.
A conference on “Religious tolerance: the culture of coexistence in Azerbaijan” in Paris
On September 8, a conference on the theme of “Religious tolerance: the culture of coexistence in Azerbaijan” within the framework of the project “Azerbaijan in the heart of Paris”, implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was organized.
Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the conference.
A classical music evening entitled “Azerbaijani music in the heart of Paris”
On September 8, a classical music evening entitled “Azerbaijani music in the heart of Paris” took place with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event.
Pieces of Azerbaijani and world classical music were performed at the concert.
At the end of the evening, an interesting composition by world-renowned photographer Reza Deghati, reflecting the tolerant environment dominating in our country, was demonstrated. Made in 3D format, the illustration created colourful images on the concert hall’s ceiling and aroused great interest in spectators.
3-8 September 2015
