Visit to France

In the course of 11 and 12 March 2019, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva was on a visit to the Republic of France.

Meeting with head of “Rothschild Global Financial Advisory” Company David De Rothschild

On march 11, Mehriban Aliyeva met David De Rothschild, the head of Rothschild Global Financial Advisory.

Mehriban Aliyeva expressed delight in the meeting with head of Rothschild Global Financial Advisory David De Rothschild. Saying, “Rothschilds, very famous in Azerbaijan in the 19th century, founded the Caspian-Black Sea Oil Industry and Trade Association in 1883. At the time, Baku was the centre of the oil industry, and Rothschild brothers had made great investment into Baku”, Mehriban Aliyeva brought to attention that all these prompted advancement of the oil industry in Baku further.

Exchange of views on cooperation took place at the meeting.

Meeting with the executive vice-president of Suez Groupe Company for international development Eric Ghebali

On March 11, Mehriban Aliyeva met, while on a visit to the Republic of France, with executive vice-president of Suez Groupe Company for international development Eric Ghebali.

Perspectives of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Suez Groupe Company on the issues of environment, ecology etc. was discussed during the meeting, and exchange of views on the advancement of bilateral relations in various directions took place.

Meeting with founder of the National Cancer Institute of France professor David Khayat

On March 11, Mehriban Aliyeva met founder and former president of the National Cancer Institute of France professor David Khayat.

Comprehensive exchange of views took place at the meeting on preventing oncological diseases, sharing of experience in this field, and defining new directions of cooperation.

Building close cooperation between the oncological centres of the two countries and necessity of implementing joint projects were also emphasized at the meeting.

Meeting with French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met tête-à-tête with the country’s Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

Mehriban Aliyeva was greeted by French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe at the Matignon Palace.

Then, a photo was taken.

Thereafter, Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva and French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe had a tête-à-tête meeting.

After the meeting, a ceremony of signing documents between Azerbaijan and France took place with participation of Mehriban Aliyeva and Édouard Philippe.

The “Convention on Reconstruction of the Sumgait-Yalama Railway of the North-South Transport Corridor in the Framework of the Railway Sector’s Development Programme” between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the French Development Agency was signed by Azerbaijan’s Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and State Secretary of France for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ministry Jean-Batiste Lemoyne.

“The Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and “Rothschild & Cie” Bank was signed by Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Elman Rustamov and Director General of the “Rothschild & Cie” Bank Ariel Mallard de Rothschild.

“The Research Agreement on the Establishment of the Operation Control Centre” and “The Contract on Realization of the Signalling and Telecommunication System of Khojasan Depot” were signed by Chairperson of “Baku Metropoliten” Close Joint-stock Company Zaur Zeynalov and Director General of “Thales International” Rafael Ashkenazi.

Meeting with President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met, March 12, with President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher in Paris.

President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher greeted Mehriban Aliyeva.

At the Senate, Mehriban Aliyeva met with the head of the France-Azerbaijan friendship group, and advisers.

Then Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher.

After the meeting, Mehriban Aliyeva signed the Guest Book of the French Senate.

Meeting with First Lady of France Brigitte Macron

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met, March 12, First Lady of France Brigitte Macron in Élysée Palace.

Satisfaction was expressed at the meeting with the development of the France-Azerbaijan relations. Mehriban Aliyeva said her visit would make significant contribution to the advancement of relations. Discussions were held during the meeting on family and woman, gender equality, education, protection of the environment etc., the activity of the French Lycée in Baku was praised, and it was noted that in the Orient, the subject of law was first taught in Azerbaijan. Significance of the cultural events held in different periods under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva in France was emphasized.

Mehriban Aliyeva invited First Lady of France Brigitte Macron to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Meeting with former President of France Nicolas Sarkozy

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met, March 12, former President of the Republic of France Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.

Contentment was expressed, at the meeting, with Mehriban Aliyeva’s Paris visit, noting that this visit would contribute to the advancement of the relations between France and Azerbaijan.

Confidence was expressed, during the meeting, that the relations between the two countries would develop further.

Meeting with President of the French National Assembly Richard Ferrand

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of the National Assembly of the Republic of France Richard Ferrand.

Richard Ferrand greeted Mehriban Aliyeva.

At the National Assembly, Mehriban Aliyeva met with the chairperson of the France-Azerbaijan friendship group, and advisers.

Then, a meeting between Mehriban Aliyeva and Richard Ferrand took place.

Mehriban Aliyeva invited Richard Ferrand to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Visiting the Orsay Museum

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Orsay Museum of Paris, accompanied by Culture Minister of France Franck Riester.

Mehriban Aliyeva was greeted by the culture minister of France.

While becoming familiarized with the Orsay Museum of Paris, it was informed that this building, one of the most beautiful buildings of the French capital, and previously exploited as a station for trains operating on the Paris- Orléansroute, is called the Orsay Museum. Among the most visited cultural establishments of Paris, as well as of Europe, the Orsay Museum, constructed in 1898-1900, is located on the bank of River Seine. One of the most beautiful examples of the Parisian architecture, the Orsay Museum has been preserved as a historical and architectural monument since 1978.

Meeting with French minister for economy and finance Bruno Le Maire

On March 12, Mehriban Aliyeva met with Minister of Economy and Finance of France Bruno Le Maire.

Minister Le Maire underlined First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva’s significant role in the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy. Expressing his readiness for joint collaboration, Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire noted that France can contribute to Azerbaijan in the field of new technologies. Pointing to Total’s active role in Azerbaijan, the French minister said that they can share their experiences in the areas of transport and agriculture too. He proposed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Mehriban Aliyeva noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to economic cooperation between the two countries, pointing to good basis in this regard. Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the high level of political dialogue between the two countries, saying the current economic cooperation does not meet the real potential, and noted the necessity of the soonest implementation of specific projects.

11-12 March 2019