President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud.

The head of state recalled with pleasure the official visit of Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to Azerbaijan, and their recent meetings and discussions on the sidelines of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. President Ilham Aliyev hailed Qatar`s attention to the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which is being held in Baku, describing this as a sign of friendly ties between the two countries. The head of state thanked Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud for participating in the forum.

Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud greeted the President of Azerbaijan on behalf of Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister thanked President Ilham Aliyev for attention and hospitality shown during the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud said he was impressed by Azerbaijan`s development, beauty of Baku and well-planned landscaping in the capital, as well as by high spirits of the people, and congratulated the head of state on this occasion.

***

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received former Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin.

Saying he was glad to visit Baku again, Dominique de Villepin described the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations as successful. He said he witnessed development in Azerbaijan despite complicated global economic and political situation. Dominique de Villepin said he was an old friend of Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev recalled with pleasure his meetings with Dominique de Villepin in Baku and Paris. The head of state stressed the importance of the former French Prime Minister`s attending the Forum.

They emphasized the significance of the issues discussed at the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and hailed the event`s role in expanding international cooperation.

***

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Minister of Culture and Information of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adel bin Zaid Al-Toraifi.

Adel bin Zaid Al-Toraifi extended the greetings and best wishes of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the head of state. He said he was happy to attend the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations on instructions of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

President Ilham Aliyev recalled his official visit to Saudi Arabia one year ago, and hailed hospitality shown by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to him and his delegation. The head of state described the visit as a sign of robust ties between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia were close friends and partners, adding that the two countries have always supported each other. The head of state said the high-level representation of Saudi Arabia at the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was evidence of the importance attached by the Kingdom to the event and a sign of the two countries` friendly ties.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and asked the Saudi Minister to extend his greetings and best wishes to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.