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President of Azerbaijan: â€œI hope Baku process will further increase the role of intercultural dialogueâ€

02 December 2008 09:33 (UTC +04:00)

Our countryâ€™s achievements and experience in this field are very important. I have no doubt that the conference will focus these issuesâ€, said President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the conference of ministers of culture of the Council of Europe member countries â€œIntercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighboring regionsâ€ in Baku. The Head of State emphasized that the conference was organized jointly by Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe and said it was important contribution of the cooperation. â€œAzerbaijan achieved rapid rates of the democratic development fulfilling its obligations before the Council of Europe. Political and economic reforms, supremacy of law, implementation of progressive experience are the processes going on in recent years. I am very satisfied with the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europeâ€.
The Head of State was pleased that the representatives of OIC member states participated in the conference.
â€œThe conference, which is being held at the intersection of East and West, has brought together the representatives of various religions. It is of great importance. Much is spoken about cross-civilizational dialogue nowadays, but unfortunately the ongoing processes in the region sometimes increase tension. I want Baku process, which has started in Baku today, to increase the role of dialogue among cultures, accelerate mutual understanding. Azerbaijanâ€™s historical and geographical state, and its participation in various international organizations extend our opportunities. Our countryâ€™s successful development will further continue,â€ he said.
President Ilham Aliyev underlined that Azerbaijani People were committed to their cultural and historical heritage.
â€œMuch has been done to protect our heritage. Azerbaijani People were deprived of independence for centuries. We realized our self-determination only for a short term. But despite this our literature and mother tongue have been preserved. Now Azerbaijani People realize their self-determination as an independent state,â€ he said.