PRESIDENT'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO FRANCE

Azertag - State Information Agency of Azerbaijan Republic, 24 January 2004

On 23 January, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev came to the Elysee Palace to meet President of France Jacques Chirak.

President of Azerbaijan was greeted very warmly, he revered the guard of honor, and then, head of the Azerbaijani state was welcomed by the French President at the stairs of the Elysee Palace.

At the residence of the French President, the heads of state had a private talk.

In the course of the meeting, discussed were the prospects of the bilateral relations. Heads of state stressed the necessity of conducting numerous meetings to promote further development of cooperation between the countries.

Then, was held an enlarged meeting of President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev and President of France Jacques Chirak. The meeting was attended by high rank officials.

The same day was held a ceremony of presentation of the Order of “Great Crescent Commander of the Legion of Honor” that was awarded by President of the Republic of France Jacques Chirak to the national leader of Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev.

The ceremony held at the “Shalom Besh Aidesh Camp” was attended by the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Khanum Aliyeva, as well as members of the Azerbaijan delegation.

President of France Jacques Chirak presented the Order to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, stressed the contributions of the outstanding politician and statesman President Heydar Aliyev in development of the French-Azerbaijani relations.

Head of the Azerbaijani state Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to the French President.
Then, an official reception was held at the Elysee Palace in honor of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

President of France and President of Azerbaijan made speeches at the reception.

After the reception, during the ceremony of departure in front of the Elysee Palace President of France Jacques Chirak and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Khanum Aliyeva were photographed in memory.

President of France departed from the President of Azerbaijan and his spouse with deep respect and consideration.