Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) has achieved another success in expanding its international ties.

On May 15, the Belarusian Language and Culture Center was opened at the university.

The event was attended by Rector of Minsk State Linguistic University, Professor Natalia Lapteva, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Azerbaijan Ivan Khlebakazov, deputies Ziyad Samedzade, Tamam Jafarova, Etibar Aliyev, Nagif Gamzayev, Executive Director of Baku International Center for Multiculturalism Ravan Hasanov, Chief Advisor of International Relations Department of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education Fariz Guliyev, education representatives, teachers and students.

First, the National Anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Belarus were sounded. A promotional video about the Republic of Belarus was watched. AUL students greeted the guests with poems in Belarusian.

Making an opening speech, AUL Rector, Academician Kamal Abdulla, talked about the importance of the event. It was noted, that the opening of the Belarusian Language and Culture Center in AUL is of great importance in the social and political life of both countries, as well as in the scientific and pedagogical activities of the universities: "Today is a historic day. The beginning of the activity of the Belarusian Language and Culture Center at the Azerbaijan University of Languages means the establishment of new scientific, cultural ties, development and the foundation of future successes. I congratulate the entire scientific community, representatives of education on this event. The Belarusian people have always been close to the Azerbaijani people. We witnessed it again during the 44-day Patriotic War. Belarusian culture, language, literature are considered one of the richest areas of the world heritage. I believe that the Belarusian Language and Culture Center will play a great role in developing our ties and achieving our future successes. The Center of Azerbaijani Language and Culture operating at the Minsk State Linguistic University is also very successfully fulfilling its mission".

Head of the Department for Interaction with Public Organizations of Baku Diocese, Archpriest Mefodiy Efendiyev wished everyone success on the occasion of the opening of the Center.

Rector of Minsk State Linguistic University, Professor Natalia Lapteva, welcomed the participants of the event and congratulated everyone on the opening of the Center of Belarusian Language and Culture. It was noted that the opening of the Center of Belarusian Language and Culture at AUL will contribute to the scientific and pedagogical activities of the universities and will have a positive impact on the cooperation of the two countries in the cultural and humanitarian sphere.

MP, Chairman of the Azerbaijani-Belarusian working group on inter-parliamentary relations, Professor Ziyad Samedzade shared his thoughts on the event. It was stated that there are high-level dialog and cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus. In recent years, ties between the two countries in political, economic, scientific, educational, cultural and other spheres have been developing on an ascending line and have been noticeably intensified.

First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Azerbaijan Ivan Khlebakazov thanked the leadership and staff of the University for the created conditions and warm welcome.

Head of the Belarusian Language and Culture Center, Professor Mammad Aliyev, noted that humanitarian, economic and political ties between the countries are rapidly developing. This is also one of the very favorable factors for the emergence of new prospects and cooperation relations.

Speaking at the event, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy Pavel Kuznetsov, Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Azerbaijan Petr Volokovykh wished success to the Center's activity.

The event continued with discussion of further activities of the Center. It should be noted, that last year the Center of Azerbaijani Language and Culture was opened at the Minsk State Linguistic University on the joint initiative of the Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Languages, academician Kamal Abdulla, and the Rector of the Minsk State Linguistic University, professor Natalia Lapteva, and with the direct participation of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Belarus.