A collective photo of the Polish diplomatic mission in Baku. Ambassador Rafal Poborski is third from the left in the front row
With an air of celebration and reflection, Polish Ambassador Rafal Poborski marked the end of his four-year tenure in Azerbaijan with a spirited gathering. The event, attended by diplomats, experts, and friends of Poland, highlighted the ambassador's impactful mission which began in March 2020.
Ambassador Poborski's tenure coincided with a period of significant transformation for Azerbaijan. "My stay here has been marked by a dynamic sequence of events," Poborski remarked. He cited the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and the subsequent redevelopment of liberated territories as pivotal moments. Amidst these developments, Azerbaijan also made strides in advancing its green energy policy, all while navigating the geopolitical tremors caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Yet, for Poborski, the true essence of his mission lay in fostering closer ties between Poland and Azerbaijan through cultural and human connections. "In the context of regional and global upheavals, the most important achievements are the steps we have taken to bring our nations closer together," he noted.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of cooperation in education, science, and culture as fundamental pillars of bilateral relations. Throughout his tenure, he prioritized person-to-person contacts, which he believes are crucial for mutual understanding and respect. "Almost every month, delegations from Polish universities and think tanks visited Azerbaijan to foster bilateral academic and student exchanges and to promote study opportunities in Poland," he said.
One such delegation, comprising over 20 scholars and students from the Graduate School of Oriental Studies at the University of Warsaw, is currently in Baku. They have engaged with Azerbaijani experts to deepen their understanding of Azerbaijan's history and contemporary issues in the South Caucasus.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Poborski is optimistic about the future of Polish-Azerbaijani relations. He anticipates an intensification of bilateral cooperation in 2024, expressing hope that the long-planned summit meetings between the two nations will materialize in the coming months.
Saying goodbye to Azerbaijan, the ambassador left behind a legacy of strengthened ties and cultural exchange, which instills hope for the continuation of the partnership between Poland and Azerbaijan. However, Poborski, known for his modesty, emphasized the collective efforts behind these achievements. At the farewell gathering, the ambassador took a group photo with the entire staff of the Polish diplomatic mission, paying tribute to their contribution to the development of Polish-Azerbaijani relations.
Politics
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Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who arrived in Baku today, held a press conference at the COP29 climate conference. When asked about the arrested climate activists and opposition figures in Azerbaijan, she stated that Germany advocates for the release of government critics and that she would raise this issue during her meeting with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister. She specifically mentioned the name of Professor Gubad Ibadoglu, a doctor from Dresden University.
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On November 21, climate activists held a series of protests at the COP29 climate conference in Baku. The main themes of the protests included nuclear weapons testing, animal killings, protection of rivers and water bodies, and environmental pollution.
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Activist Nijat Ibrahim, who was detained in Baku pre-trial detention center-1, inflicted numerous wounds on himself on November 20 in protest against unjustified criminal prosecution, his wife Parvin Ibrahim told Turan. According to her, on November 21, her husband called her and informed her that the day before he had inflicted incised wounds on himself with a piece of mirror. In particular, he cut his throat and ears.
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