Baku, October 3 (AZERTAC). The chief executive officer of Italian Agency AGI Gianni Di Giovanni who is on a visit in Azerbaijan for participation in the 4th Baku International Humanitarian Forum stated it at the meeting which took place at AZERTAC.

At the meeting, the Director General of AZERTAC Aslan Aslanov in detail informed on the way of development AZERTAC passed, the success achieved in recent years, the position of the Agency in information support of state policy, its international relations. Noting that AZERTAC and the Italian agencies ANSA and AGI have signed contracts on exchange of information, Mr. Aslanov emphasized that successful cooperation is carried out also on the international and regional media structures. The Director General stated that in 2016 Baku will host the XVI General Assembly of the Organization of News Agencies of Asia and the Pacific Ocean (OANA) and the V World Congress of News Agencies and till 2019 AZERTAC will chair these structures. It will create additional opportunities for development of cooperation with news agencies of Italy, Aslanov stressed.

At the meeting, it was noted that the national leader Heydar Aliyev has great merits in development of the relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, and that as a result of successful foreign policy of the President Ilham Aliyev the bilateral ties extended in various areas, including in the humanitarian sphere.

It was especially marked the role of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva in development of relations between the two countries, in particular in deepening of cooperation in cultural field. It was noted that restoration of the Roman catacombs at the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, the repair works carried out by Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Hall of Philosophers of Rome`s Capitoline museum, for preservation of cultural heritage in Italy represent special sense and importance. The Director General said that this year the 4th Baku International Humanitarian Forum is attended by numerous delegations of statesmen and scientists from 60 countries of the world, underlining that the Forum already became an important international event, the interest in action grows from year to year.

Gianni Di Giovanni said that the Baku International Humanitarian Forum plays an important role in strengthening of cooperation between the countries, expressed satisfaction that under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev the Forum will annually be organized at the high level.

Noting the importance of further expansion of the existing relations between the Italian agency AGI and AZERTAC, Mr. Gianni Di Giovanni said: “I am convinced that mutual ties of the two Agencies will make certain contribution to further expansion of political, economic and humanitarian exchanges between Azerbaijan and Italy”.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Gianni Di Giovanni brought to attention that the Senate of Italian Parliament accepted and sent to the UN and the European Union two statements condemning the aggressive policy of Armenia.

The CEO of AGI expressed to Heydar Aliyev Foundation gratitude for contribution to recognition of cultural values of Italy as world heritage.