President Aliyev: New page opens in Italian-Azerbaijani relations

On September 1, in Rome, in connection with the definition of the framework of cooperation on Italy-Azerbaijan University, the creation of faculties and programs, a ceremony was held to exchange signed agreements on academic cooperation between ADA University and five leading Italian higher education institutions - Luis Guido Carli University, Sapienza University of Rome, Polytechnic University of Turin, University of Bologna and Polytechnic University of Milan.

After the exchange of documents, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech, Caliber.Az reports with reference to the Azerbaijani presidential press service.

Greeting the event participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

Warm greetings to you all.

Welcome to the Embassy of Azerbaijan!

Today's ceremony is being held in a new building of the Azerbaijani Embassy. I must also say that this is the first event to be held in the new building. This historical building, located in the historical quarter of Rome, opens its doors today. At the same time, the Culture Centre of Azerbaijan will operate in this building.

I am very delighted that the first event to be held in this building is related to the field of education. Today, we are embarking on a new page of Italian-Azerbaijani relations. We are starting a new page of large-scale cooperation in the field of education. Two years ago, when I was on a state visit to Italy, I made a proposal to create an Italian-Azerbaijani University. The Italian leadership also welcomed it, and a short while later we are already starting practical activities.

In April this year, the foundation of a new educational building was laid at the campus of ADA University in Baku with the participation of Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. Cooperation between leading Italian universities and ADA University will strengthen the already friendly relations between the two countries. Luiss University, University of Bologna, Polytechnic University of Milan, Polytechnic University of Turin, and Sapienza University of Rome – these names are famous outside of Italy as well. Let me also inform you that two institutes will operate under Italy-Azerbaijan University – the Institute of Agriculture and Food Sciences and the Institute of Design and Architecture.

Two documents on strategic partnership have been signed between Italy and Azerbaijan. We have very strong political and economic relations. Italy is Azerbaijan’s first trading partner. Last year, our turnover reached $9.6 billion, and in seven months of this year, it has been $11 billion.

Today's ceremony shows that we will act as a strategic partner in the field of education in the future. It is no secret that the development of each country is not determined by natural resources, but by knowledge, competence and technological progress. In Azerbaijan, we are channelling the revenues obtained from natural resources into human capital, and today's event is clear evidence of that. At the same time, I am sure that Italy-Azerbaijan University will become a centre of Italian-Azerbaijani friendship. In other words, I think that today we are witnessing a historic event. Today is the first day of my working visit to Italy and this is the first event. I am sure that the upcoming meetings with Italian leaders will further strengthen our friendship and partnership.

Once again, I congratulate you all on this wonderful and historic event.