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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO FOREIGN, NATIONAL, AND RELIGION EDITORS:
AJC Delegation Meets Azerbaijan President, Foreign Minister In Baku
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An AJC
delegation concluded a three-day visit to Baku, Azerbaijan. This was
the global Jewish agency's fourth visit to the nation since 2008 and
fifth meeting with President Ilham Aliyev.
In addition to the 75 minute-long meeting with the President, the
delegation was also received by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov;
Chair of the State Committee on Diaspora Affairs Nazim Ibrahimov;
Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz; U.S. Ambassador Richard
Morningstar; German Ambassador Heidrun Tempel; Military Adviser to the
President Vahid Aliyev; and a top official of the State Oil Company of
Azerbaijan (SOCAR).
The main topics of discussion included Azerbaijani-U.S. and
Azerbaijani-Israeli relations, as well as recent developments in the
region, including the current situation in Ukraine.
The ten-person AJC delegation also met with leaders of the local
Jewish community during visits to three synagogues in Baku. Azerbaijan
is a predominately Shiite Muslim country that is staunchly secular and
pluralistic in its identity. The Jewish community of Azerbaijan is an
integral part of the nation's cultural fabric and has lived largely
free of anti-Semitism.
Azerbaijan is also a critical geopolitical partner of the United
States and enjoys warm relations with the State of Israel.
"Unless and until you visit Azerbaijan and see the country first-hand,
you cannot imagine the dynamism and strategic importance of this
nation -- to the U.S., to Europe, and yes, to the State of Israel,"
explained AJC Executive Director David Harris.
"Sandwiched throughout much of its history among the Persian, Ottoman,
and Russian empires, the independence, development, and potential we
witnessed in Baku is truly something to behold," said Harris. "We
shall eagerly look forward to our next visit."
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO
SOURCE American Jewish Committee
-0- 03/04/2014
/CONTACT: Kenneth Bandler, AJC Director of Media Relations, 212.891.6771, bandlerk@ajc.org
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.ajc.org
CO: American Jewish Committee
ST: Azerbaijan
SU: REL NPT AVO FOR
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