Visit to France

Azerbaijan's First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has been on a visit to France, July 18-19, 2013.

A ceremony in Paris devoted to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s accession to UNESCO

On June 18, a ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s accession to UNESCO took place at the headquarters of the organization in Paris.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva and organization’s General Director Irina Bokova attended the ceremony.

First, Mehriban Aliyeva met with UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova. At the meeting, it was mentioned that very fruitful partnership relations have been built between Azerbaijan and UNESCO for these 20 years and that these relations will continue and develop further.

Discussions were held at the meeting on future cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by Mehriban Aliyeva, and UNESCO, and inclusion of more cultural monuments of Azerbaijan on the organization’s list of cultural heritage, as well as the meeting of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee devoted to intangible cultural heritage to be held in December this year in Baku.

A Framework Agreement was signed between the Government of Azerbaijan and UNESCO on cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. On the Azerbaijani side the document was signed by Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev and, on UNESCO side, by Director General Irina Bokova.

Then familiarization with a photo stand comprised of stone statues found on the territory of Azerbaijan took place.

Mehriban Aliyeva and Director General Irina Bokova attended the ceremony of presenting a stone horse and a stone ram by the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of our country’s accession to this respected organization.

Placed at UNESCO headquarters’ yard, these statueswill permanently be exhibited here. These monuments relate to the 12-13th centuries and were found in Ashaghy Ayibli village of Tovuz district.

Attendees of the ceremony were distributed books reflecting stone statues found in Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Meeting with Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Community Life of France Valérie Fourneyronin

Mehriban Aliyeva met, on July 19, with Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Community Life of France Valérie Fourneyronin in Paris.

Issues concerning the first European Games to be held in 2015 in Azerbaijan were discussed at the meeting. Valérie Fourneyron said they were ready to share her country’s experience in organization of these Games, and noted that French companies were interested in participation in the process of preparation for the Games.

Mehriban Aliyeva brought to attention that preparation works for the Games are carried out intensively, and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that all issues associated with the Gamesare are resolved properly. She said, having been known as a sports country, Azerbaijan will decently accomplish its duty to be the first country to host the European Games, and the Games will be held at the highest level. Mehriban Aliyeva appreciated the offer of joint cooperation with French companies in the process of preparation for the Games.

An agreement was reached at the meeting to hold a joint seminar in Baku with participation of the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and Community Life of France, the Olympic Committee of France and French companies.

At the end, a working lunch was given.

July 18-19, 2013