BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 18. The Chairman of
the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan, Fuad
Muradov, who is on a visit to the U.S., held a number of meetings
in New York.


This was reported by the press service of the committee
following meetings of Muradov with the founder and head of the
Board of Directors of the Research Institute for New Americans
(RINA), Sam Kliger, head of the Caucasian Jewish Cultural Center,
Yakov Abramov, and members of the New York State Assembly Michael
Novakhov and Alec Brook-Krasny.


According to the committee, the Permanent Representative of
Azerbaijan to the United Nations, Ambassador Tofig Musayev, also
participated in the meetings.


During the meeting with Kliger, the role played by the diaspora
in the development of Azerbaijan-U.S. relations was one of the main
topics of discussion. The meeting discussed ways to expand
experience-sharing between RINA and the Azerbaijani diaspora,
implement youth programs and leadership initiatives, and develop
joint projects. These efforts aim to strengthen dialogue between
different communities.


A letter of appreciation was presented to Kliger for his
contributions to the development of the Azerbaijani-U.S.
partnership and the Azerbaijani diaspora playing a more active role
in U.S. society.


During the meeting with Abramov, the work of the Caucasian
Jewish Cultural Center in preserving, conveying, and promoting the
historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijani and Caucasian Jews
was highly appreciated.


The committee's chairman emphasized that Azerbaijan is a country
where various religious and ethnic groups, including the Jewish
community, have lived together in peace, mutual respect, and
tranquility throughout history. He noted that the promotion of
Azerbaijan's traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance at the
international level makes a significant contribution to further
strengthening mutual understanding between peoples and
communities.


The meeting also discussed the large-scale reconstruction and
construction projects carried out in the liberated territories of
Azerbaijan, as well as the initiatives taken by our country to form
lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. In particular,
attention was drawn to the discussions held a few days ago by
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev with U.S. President Donald
Trump on the absolute and early implementation of the project
called TRIPP.


During discussions with members of the New York State Assembly,
attention was drawn to the Azerbaijani community’s participation in
the city’s social, cultural, and economic life and its
contributions to New York’s development. The role of the diaspora
in further strengthening relations between Azerbaijan and New York
was also highlighted.


The parties expressed their interest in expanding cooperation in
the fields of culture, education, youth, diaspora activities, and
intercommunity dialogue in the future and in creating platforms
that serve to intensify relations.


Novakhov presented the declaration adopted by the New York State
Assembly on the occasion of October 18 - Independence Day to the
committee's chairman. The declaration highlighted Azerbaijan's path
to independence, its secular statehood, traditions of tolerance,
the peaceful and secure living of the Mountain Jewish community in
the country, and the high social activity of the Azerbaijani
community in the U.S., including Mountain Jews of Azerbaijani
origin.


The meetings once again demonstrated the active integration of
Azerbaijanis living abroad into local societies, which is one of
the main directions of Azerbaijan's diaspora policy. They also play
an important role in conveying the country's historical and
cultural heritage, values of multiculturalism and tolerance, as
well as Azerbaijan's peace and cooperation agenda to the
international community.