Rome, May 29, AZERTAC

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy has hosted an official reception to celebrate May 28th the Republic Day and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan`s diplomatic service bodies.

Participants in the event included Italy's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Emanuela Del Re, Secretary of State at Italy's Ministry of Public Administration Mattia Fantinati, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Elisabetta Belloni, Director of the Secretariat Office of the Italian President Simone Guerrini, Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian President Emanuela D'Alessandro, Information Adviser to the Italian President Gianfranco Astori, as well as representatives of the Italian executive and legislative bodies, senators and deputies, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of academia, businessmen and culture figures.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Mammad Ahmadzade emphasized the importance of the Republic Day in the history of Azerbaijan. He noted that this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijan`s diplomatic service bodies.

Ambassador Ahmadzade highlighted Azerbaijan`s achievements since restoration of independence and successes of the country’s foreign policy. He also hailed strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.

Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Emanuela Del Re spoke about the historic significance of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim East, and its diplomatic ties with Italy. She hailed Italy’s relations with Azerbaijan, adding they have reached the level of strategic partnership.

Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev highlighted the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the country’s development after restoration of its independence, and foreign policy priorities. Hikmat Hajiyev provided an insight into the international and regional energy and transport projects implemented by Azerbaijan, pointing to the country`s contribution to Europe's energy security. He also spoke about the regional security threats, as well as the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

As part of his visit to Italy, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev also held a number of meetings, including with Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian President Emanuela D'Alessandro, Ambassador and Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister Pietro Benassi and Director General for Political and Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Sebastiano Cardi. During the meetings, the sides hailed the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, noting that the recent high-level reciprocal visits contributed to the strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries and expansion of cooperation in all areas. Hikmat Hajiyev also informed the Italian side of the current state of negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Asiman Asadov

Special Correspondent