On January 23, 2010, the meeting on the results of 2009 was held in the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Opening the meeting with introductory words, Ali Alizade, Head of Department, touched upon to the consequences of successful foreign policy which is set to ensure peaceful and suitable international milieu for further strengthening of state independence of Azerbaijan and its integration to the world community. Gaining political importance in the world, Azerbaijan has effective and vital position in order to overcome global problems of the region and the world thanks to successful conduct of foreign policy course by President Ilham Aliyev, which was set by our national leader Heydar Aliyev. The head of Department noted that notwithstanding the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory and Karki village of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an integral part of Azerbaijan, and the blockade conditions imposed on the autonomous republic, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan is developing year by year and its foreign relations are expanding continuously thanks to abovementioned achievements and the measures taken by the autonomous republic leadership. He defined 2009 as memorable and productive in terms of foreign relations of the autonomous republic. Mentioning that 2009 was declared to be discipline year, the head of Department gave detailed information about the works and development dynamic of foreign relations of the autonomous republic.

It was marked that, as the 9th Summit of Heads of States of Turkic speaking nations was held in Nakhchivan in 2009 and the Nakhchivan Agreement on Cooperation Council of Turkic speaking countries and the Nakhchivan Declaration were signed, these were of importance to introduce the autonomous republic to the international arena as well as to express socio-economic development in Azerbaijan and its regions. Furthermore, the visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ministers and other senior officials, scholars, scientists, artists, heads of representatives of foreign states and international organizations in order to participate in the 85th anniversary events in 2009, as well as celebration of 85th anniversary of the autonomous republic in Moscow, Russia, can be counted in that regard.

The 90th anniversary of the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2009, and the high-level celebration of the jubilee in Nakhchivan, alongside Baku and Ganja, and the visit of the heads of diplomatic representatives and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the leadership of foreign minister to Nakhchivan to take part in the jubilee events was of significance. This visit let our diplomats to get acquainted with the autonomous republic and its history, culture and socio-economic development closely and to use information that they obtained from Nakhchivan.

The election of Nakhchivan as a Islamic culture capital in 2018 is result of high valuation of our country as well as its autonomous republic situating in the crossroads of various civilizations. This decision indicates the capability of Nakhchivan to host various international events and to contribute to the cultural development. Successful representation of our country by the cultural and art figures of the autonomous republic in Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, in the course of Azerbaijani cultural days was also remarkable for 2009.

Relations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, hosting international symposiums on "Prophet Noah, the World storm and Nakhchivan" and "Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge" and other international events in 2009, with foreign countries are pursued during the last year. Particularly, important measures have been taken for further improvement of current relations with the neighboring countries and successful resolution of some other issues.

In 2009, apart from the neighboring countries, the relations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with other states were also conducted, and the number of representatives of foreign states visiting Nakhchivan increased. Amongst them, the visit of delegation from the Styria Federal State of Austria to the autonomous republic was interesting in terms of new fruitful relations.

The visits of many delegations from Nakhchivan to foreign countries, moreover, were held during last year.

Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic carries on its relations with international organizations as well and various joint projects have been implemented. Representatives of several influential international organizations in Azerbaijan visited the autonomous republic during 2009, got acquainted with the general situation here, various meetings were held and future cooperation perspectives were determined.

The head of Department noted that foreign relations of the autonomous republic were further extended as result of overall measures, traffic of autonomous republic inhabitants to foreign countries has been sufficiently simplified, joint projects in the fields of health, sport, education and science urge the development in these fields, and economic relations play role in the socio-economic development of the autonomous republic. Dynamic development tendencies in the economy of the autonomous republic positively influence the foreign trade turnover as well and lead to increase of trade partners. According to official statistics, trade turnover of the autonomous republic in 2009 was 149 million US dollar, which is 63 percent more than 2008.

The head of Department mentioned that these measures taken in the autonomous republic refers to crucial responsibility of state bodies, including our Department. In 2009, the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic striving to fulfill its duties and functions closely took part in foreign relations of Nakhchivan and represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of its competences.

The Department, under its competences, took required measures to realize visits of foreign representatives to Nakhchivan and vice versa aiming to establish relations between state bodies of Nakhchivan and foreign counterparts, to determine mutual cooperation opportunities and realize joint projects, as well as to organize international conferences, events and meetings in Nakhchivan, to prepare necessary data-bases and reports. Besides, other duties and functions have been executed.

In addition, the Department participated in the issues given to the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding labor migration of the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan living in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and employment of foreign work power in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic under the legislation. Moreover, various consular operations were carried out by the Department.

Saying that the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic always feels the attention and care of the leadership of country and autonomous republic, the head of Department mentioned that all facilities have been presented for effective diplomatic service in the architecturally distinguished building. Apart from these, great importance is always attached to the preparation of personnel selection and professional preparation of colleagues. This process was carried on in 2009, too. Newly admitted colleagues were trained in the Training-education Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Concluding successfully the training, they have already started their work in the Department. Furthermore, in 2009, some officials of the Department attended to the diplomatic courses organized in the foreign countries. Apart from these, diplomatic rank and position of some officials are promoted, the head and an official of Department were awarded with the jubilee medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan "90th anniversary (1919-2009) of diplomatic service bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

Afterwards, some officials of the Department, V.Karimov, A.Aliyev and N.Orujaliyev delivered speeches on the relevant issues.

Ali Alizade, Head of Department, concluded the meeting.

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