Azerbaijan decisive to subdue "Space Olympus"
Despite only two years pass of Azerbaijan's ceremonial launching of its first national satellite Azerspace-1, the government assures it has justified expectations.
Azerbaijan and France have discussed establishment of a Committee for Interregional Cooperation, as the two countries seek to deepen the bilateral ties.
The topic was mulled during the meeting between Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Bertrand Fort, the Secretary General of the National Commission on Decentralization and Interregional Cooperation of France and Delegate for external action of local authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France in Baku on June 30.
The minister has voiced a special role of interregional cooperation in the expansion of economic, humanitarian and other relations. He reminded that currently, 13 Azerbaijani cities cooperate with 11 cities and one province of France.
Only in 2015, Azerbaijan’s ancient city of Sheki and the charming French city of Colmar became sister cities. Moreover, Tovuz and France's Cognac inked a sister city agreement to develop a friendly and meaningful relationship.
The expansion of inter-regional cooperation can also contribute to the promotion of culture of both countries, the sides agreed.
The sides touched upon important international wine and winegrowing festivals in Ganja, as well as last year's agricultural and food products exhibition in Paris and various business forums, which according to them play an important role in expansion of ties.
Baku and Paris are actively developing their relations in many spheres including politics, economy, culture, science and more.
The education sector is one of the most successful areas of the Azerbaijani-French cooperation. The newly established French-Azerbaijani University in Baku, a project implemented on the initiative of the Azerbaijani and French presidents, is expected to deepen this cooperation even more.
Having strong and dynamic experience in transport and agriculture sectors, French companies are involved in the non-oil sectors' projects, including the first Azerbaijani telecommunications satellite Azerspace, and a plant for solid waste recycling.
France shares its experience with Azerbaijan in agricultural sector, in particular for the modernization of animal health and epidemiological service.
Moreover, Baku’s ADA University together with the Maastricht School of Management is successfully implementing a joint program by launching a new Master's program in the field of agricultural management. A two-year joint program will provide graduators with two diplomas.
The trade turnover with France amounted to $362.7 million in January-May 2016, bulk of which fell to export to this country, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan.