Multifaceted Italy-Azerbaijan relations expand to education field

Partnership in the field of education between Azerbaijan and Italy was high on the agenda of talks in Baku, as a delegation led by Italian Minister of Education, University and Research Stefania Giannini visited the country.

President Ilham Aliyev, who received the delegation on July 21, hailed the bilateral ties between the two countries, voicing his confidence that strong partnership would be established in the education field as well.

The head of state underlined the role of the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic.

Hailing the importance of study of Azerbaijani students in Italy, President Aliyev described this as a good example of friendship between the two countries.

The Italian minister, for her part, underlined her country's interest in expanding cooperation with educational institutions in Azerbaijan.

Giannini hailed the importance of the increasing number of Azerbaijani students studying in Italy.

She recalled with pleasure that she met with Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva at the presentation of the first European Games in Rome, adding that they discussed the expansion of cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The minister underlined the importance of the significant projects implemented in Italy, Vatican with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Azerbaijan and Italy actively continue their joint work in the business sphere and the southern European country ranked first in the list of Azerbaijan's foreign trade partners in Q1 2016 with trade turnover of $462.44 million.

Italy, being the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods, enjoys good relations with the country and exports from Italy to Azerbaijan are also growing year by year.

Azerbaijan is the largest supplier of oil to Italy, and with the launch of the Southern Gas Corridor will supply Shah Deniz gas to this country.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has made a very important contribution to the preservation of historical heritage of Italy, funding and donating several cultural projects in this country.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation aims to support socio-economic and humanitarian development within the country and abroad. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation also places special emphasis on the mutual enrichment of various cultures and civilizations, the expansion of dialogue among nations, and the preservation of the traditions of tolerance.