Prospects of Azerbaijan-France relations discussed
Prospects of Azerbaijani-French cooperation were discussed in Baku, as the French minister of state for development and Francophonie, attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, was visiting Azerbaijan.
During his two-day visit Jean-Marie Le Guen and his delegation were received by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva.
In a meeting with Le Guen on January 10 President Aliyev hailed successful development of bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views over the prospects of relations, Azertac reported.
The sides emphasized successful development of bilateral relations between the two countries in various directions, as well as in political, economic, energy, cultural, educational and other fields. They also stressed the importance of expanding interparliamentary cooperation.
Emphasizing successful development of relations in humanitarian field the sides voiced their confidence that Azerbaijani-French University (UFAZ) operating in Baku since September 2016 will contribute to strengthening cooperation in this field.
The same day First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva received the delegation led by Jean-Marie Le Guen.
During the meeting Mrs. Aliyeva expressed her confidence that the delegation’s visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening the Azerbaijani-French ties.
The First Lady praised bilateral relations between the two states. Mrs. Aliyeva said good cooperation was established in the fields of information technologies, space and other areas, adding successful operation of French companies in Azerbaijan. She in particular emphasized the ties in the humanitarian area.
Mrs. Aliyeva described operation of the Baku French Lycée and the Azerbaijani-French University as one of the greatest achievements in educational area, saying that for now the University admits students in four specialties, and a fifth specialty will be taught here soon.
Touching upon 12 sister city agreements signed between cities and regions of Azerbaijan and France over the last years, Mrs. Aliyeva said this will serve to developing relations in political, economic and humanitarian areas.
The First Lady praised inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries. Mrs. Aliyeva, who also heads the Azerbaijani-French friendship group, expressed confidence on the possibility of establishing further close cooperation in this area.
Mrs. Aliyeva spoke about the activity of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan in France, emphasizing a significant contribution that the Association made to bilateral cooperation.
Le Guen, for his part, appraised the activity of the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, underlining the contribution that this activity brings to friendship and cooperation with France.
The French secretary of state stressed the special role of the first lady in operation of the Azerbaijani-French University in Baku.
Le Guen also had a meeting with Education Minister of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and visited the French-Azerbaijani University (UFAZ), where they hold a joint briefing.
The University is the first joint higher educational institution in the country opened on the basis of Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry and offers training mostly free of charge.
Students of the university will be able to receive diplomas of Europe's leading academic institutions such as the University of Strasbourg and University of Rennes I without leaving their country.
Jabbarov noted a willingness to open "French Language and Literature" course in UFAZ, and stated Azerbaijan's readiness to undertake the responsibility to create necessary conditions.
In turn, Jean-Marie Le Guen expressed confidence that in the future, French students will also be able to come to Azerbaijan to study in the French-Azerbaijani University.
Currently the university enrolls 141 students. French Bachelor degree lasts three years, while in Azerbaijan four years, because the first year of study at UFAZ is a preparatory.