Opening of an exhibition devoted to Azerbaijan at the building of the Municipality of the 7th District of Paris
An exhibition devoted to Azerbaijan on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was launched on September 15 in the building of Municipality of the 7th District of Paris, and our country’s masters of art performed with an interesting and extensive concert program.
President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva attended the events.
Then a dinner-party was given on behalf of Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in honour of participants of the event.
Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva delivered a speech at the event.
Speech by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva:
- Ladies and Gentlemen!
Honourable Guests!
Dear Friends!
First of all I would like to welcome you from the bottom of my heart and thank you for being with us today, this evening. Today’s event is held as a result of joint efforts by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Paris city 7th District’s Municipality. I am deeply thankful to 7th District Mayor Mrs. Rashida Dati for this support and cooperation, as well as for the words said about my activity.
As continuation of this cooperation, an international conference on the theme of “Azerbaijan: a strategic partner for energy security” will be held in Paris tomorrow. Today Azerbaijan is known in Europe as a strategic partner in the sphere of energy security, and Azerbaijan is ready to play its role in securing Europe’s oil and gas supply.
Dear Friends, today Azerbaijan is a leading state in the Southern Caucasian region. Our country has been developing at a rapid pace, and this development is felt in all spheres. By economic growth rate, Azerbaijan has been for a number of years one of the leading countries of the world. Azerbaijan accounts for 75% of the total economy of the Southern Caucasian states. All major projects carried out in the region are implemented on the initiative and with participation of Azerbaijan.
Our natural resources, oil and gas pipelines, development of the non-oil sector and new large-scale infrastructure projects ensure our development. Part of incomes derived from the oil sector is directed to the solution of social issues. Since 2003, over 900 thousand new jobs have been created in our country, more than 2 thousand new school building constructed, poverty level fell from 49 down to 9 percents.
This year Azerbaijan celebrates 20 years of regaining its independence. Since 1991, our country started to integrate into the world community and space of democracy and publicity. When making this choice, we based on our historical traditions. The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan Halk Jumhuriyyeti), which was established in 1918, was the first democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim Orient. In that period, i.e. at the beginning of the 20th century, a number of significant events had been held in our progressive and leading country. Azerbaijani women gained the right to vote, first secular school was opened for girls and a parliament representing many parties and national minorities started to function. First opera and ballet of the Orient was written. Although the Democratic Republic lived 23 months only, these traditions have also made an influence on the contemporary history of Azerbaijan.
Since the first years of our independence, relations of friendship and cooperation were established between Azerbaijan and France. Relations between both government and non-government entities and links in the business sector were established. Major French companies have been working in Azerbaijan. Recently “Total” and “Gas de France” companies discovered a new gas field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. This will both strengthen Azerbaijan’s energy potential, and also contribute to the energy security of Europe.
France has been making its efforts almost for 20 years within the Minsk Group in solution of Armenian-Azerbaijani, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict, which is the gravest problem of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately this conflict has so far not found its solution; lands of Azerbaijan are under occupation, there are refugees and internally displaced people in the country. We hope this conflict will find its solution in the near future based on international legal norms, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity restored and all refugees and IDPs will return to their homes. This will strengthen peace and security both in Azerbaijan, and also in the region as a whole.
Very successful cooperation has been established between our countries in the spheres of education and culture. Days of francophony are held in our country on a continuous basis. Construction of a French school will be started this year in the capital. Holding the “Le plaisir de France” exhibition in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is expected next year. Various concerts, exhibitions and festivals are held in the French capital and other cities to promote the Azerbaijani culture. The Azerbaijani Cultural Centre will soon start its activity in the centre of Paris.
We all very well know that culture plays an exclusive role in relations and mutual understanding of nations. Culture brings together and unites people regardless of their religious and national relationship. And this is one of the most significant purposes in today’s complex world. I hope this evening too serves the same purposes.
We Azerbaijanis are pride of our culture and ancient history. At the same time, we treat the world cultural heritage with great respect. France is one of the most ancient cultural centres of the world. The French culture, literature, music, art school, history and architectural monuments have centuries-long been the symbol of high culture, humanism, beauty and moral values. These universal values are eternal. In my view, every society should first of all be built and live based on these values.
Dear Friends, in conclusion, I invite you to Azerbaijan to familiarize yourselves more closely with our country.
I wish you all success, happiness and love. Thank you for your attention.