French Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ann Buayon
Baku hosted a celebratory event today marking France’s Independence Day, an occasion underscored by the performance of the national anthems of both Azerbaijan and France. In a noted deviation from tradition, for the second consecutive year, no representative from the Azerbaijani authorities delivered a speech at the event.
French Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ann Buayon, took the stage to welcome guests and highlight the significance of French-Azerbaijani relations and the importance of French Independence Day. She underscored the strong bilateral ties and mutual interests that bind the two nations.
Ambassador Buayon also turned the spotlight on the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take place in France this year, extending her best wishes to the Azerbaijani athletes participating in the events. Furthermore, she reiterated France’s unwavering support for Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
"This evening provides an opportunity for me, the embassy, and the French Institute to welcome and thank all our partners in Azerbaijan," Ambassador Buayon remarked. "These partnerships breathe life into the economic, academic, scientific, cultural, and educational ties between France and Azerbaijan. I extend a warm welcome to all Francophones and French teachers here. Despite the challenging times, I am deeply appreciative of my team at the embassy and the French Institute, who have remained motivated and positive throughout the year."
The ambassador also expressed her views on COP 29, the major climate conference scheduled to be held in Baku this year. "We recognize the busy months ahead as Baku prepares to host COP 29. I wish Azerbaijan full success in its presidency to ensure that the spirit of cooperation prevails in the interests of our planet and future generations," she added.
The ambassador's remarks reflected a commitment to continuing and strengthening these ties through collaboration in various sectors, from culture and education to science and environmental stewardship.
Politics
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The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OPHRD), a joint program of the World Organization against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has called for the urgent release of activist Rufat Safarov from prison in Azerbaijan. It has launched a campaign in support of the Azerbaijani human rights defender. https://www.omct.org/en/resources/urgent-interventions/arbitrary-detention-and-judicial-harassment-against-rufat-safarov
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This year, the laureate of the annual Nargiz Prize, awarded for efforts in the fight for democracy, was Akif Gurbanov, chairman of the board of the Resplatforma (Platform of the III Republic) movement, who is under arrest.
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The U.S. will prohibit the issuing of visas for nearly a dozen more individuals responsible for undermining democracy in Georgia, bringing the total number to over 100, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
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The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following the tragic incident in the city of Magdeburg. "We are deeply shocked by the news of the deaths and injuries resulting from the tragic incident that took place at the Christmas market in Magdeburg," the message reads.
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