First Lady ends visit to US

Aliyeva updated on the projects being realized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation she leads, in the humanitarian sphere, emphasizing that by the coming of oil profits, the country develops the fields of education, health and culture.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, she noted that the Foundation she supervises persistently takes care of the children deprived of parents as a result of this conflict.

Karen Hughes, highly estimating the work done by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, underlined that this work is of vast importance for future of Azerbaijan. Undersecretary of State said Azerbaijan is an example country from the point of view of respect for religious minorities. She took interest in the conference on the subject of the 'Role of mass media in propaganda of tolerance' to be organized by the Organization of Islamic Conference in Baku in 2007.

Noting the importance of this Conference for the country, Mehriban Aliyeva invited Karen Hughes to take part at this event.

Mehriban Aliyeva also met the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paul Dobrianski. In meeting, discussed were the issues of cooperation between two countries, aimed at counter-action against common threats, in particular, prevention of bird flu.

Paul Dobrianski expressed readiness of his country to render to Azerbaijan all-round assistance in this cause. Noting that there are joint US-Azerbaijan working groups on economic issues and the question of security, Paul Dobrianski stressed necessity of conducting discussions also on the questions of democracy and human rights. At his words, Azerbaijan as a modern secular state could play the role of bridge between the West and Islamic world.

Noting existence of full religious and ethnic tolerance in Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva said that she, as a UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, is open to all suggestions in this field. AzerTAg