Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / 2008 has been officially announced in Germany as 'Year of Azerbaijan', the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Centre of Strategic Researches in Germany, Bashar Kemur, reported on 31 May while on a visit to Baku.
A delegation headed by Yens Beutel, the Mayor of the Maintz City, Federative Republic of Germany (FRG), has visited Azerbaijan. Kemur accompanied the German guests during their visits to a number of Azerbaijani regions.
Beutel stated that large-scale events will be held in Germany in 2008 within the framework of the 'Year of Azerbaijan'.
" Germany announced 2008 as the 'Year of Azerbaijan'. The agreement in this connection was achieved in February during the visit of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, to Germany. The bond between the two sister cities, Maintz and Baku, grew apart in 1991and since 1996 we have been trying to restore the relationships," Kemur said.
Beutel noted that he had delivered a letter from the Chairman of the governing Socio-Democratic Party of Germany to Azerbaijani President.
"In Germany, which is ruled by a coalition government, Azerbaijani diaspora is supported by the chairman of the governing Socio-Democratic Party, who has the same status as the Chancellor of the country, Angela Merkel. Being the representatives of the diaspora we wish to maintain the relationships between Azerbaijan and Germany in all aspects," Kemur stressed.
The head of the Centre also reported that a new campaign was underway in Germany targeted to popularization of Azerbaijan.